Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

They seem to want welfare only. That is to insult working people. It is for this reason that budget 2015 provides an additional €3 billion in resources for the domestic economy compared to previous plans, to place job creation front and centre. It is for this reason we have established a strategic bank to drive credit into small and medium enterprises. It is why we are progressively reducing taxes for low and middle-income earners in this budget from January, and will continue to do so in the next budget, so that they share in the recovery, and it why we are delivering collective bargaining for workers and have established a low pay commission to address wage issues.

The Government’s Construction 2020 and social housing strategies will, between them, bring tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes every year, and provide jobs for the 80,000 construction workers currently out of work. We are commencing a new cycle of investment in public services, because quality public services are essential to reducing inequality. In addition, we are embarking on a new phase of political reform to restore trust in our institutions and public life, building on the very significant work already carried out by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin.

Let me be clear and this is where we differ from some of the people who call themselves left wing. We want every teenager in this country to have an opportunity to get an apprenticeship, traineeship, or college place. We do not want our young people on the dole.

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