Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Sinn Féin on bringing forth this motion, which I fully support. For Deputies to take a pay rise at this time is totally wrong and unacceptable. It is totally unjust that those on social welfare payments will be getting an extra €260 per annum while Deputies will get a €2,700 increase this year and next year. If, following the vote this Thursday, this motion is not passed, I propose to set up a trust fund and to give the money to community and voluntary organisations in west Cork. I call on other like-minded Deputies to do the same. The money allocated for the pay rise amounts to more than €1 million over the two years. I propose that this money be ring-fenced for health services, specifically home help packages and services. As we know, many elderly people are being refused home help hours and home care packages despite the promises made by the Government. How can we justify increasing our pay when the Government has not made good on these promises? Let us stick to our promise and allocate this money to home help services and home care packages and thereby take care of some of the most vulnerable in society. This money would be an enormous boost to elder care provision and would go a long way towards helping the elderly to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

While €2,700 per annum will not make a huge difference to the standard of living of Deputies and Senators, €1 million over two years will make an enormous difference to the most vulnerable in society. I urge all Deputies to support this motion.

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