Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be as quick as I can. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving us time. I will shorten my comments by saying that I welcome the budget. The housing crisis has affected many families throughout the country and certain areas within the health system have also created a crisis. I welcome the home care and home help packages in the budget, which are very important.

Farm incomes are the mainstay of the rural economy. Through meeting many farmers on an individual basis over the years, I am acutely aware of the declining farming income. I welcome some of the targeted measures in the budget. Some €57 million of current expenditure has been allocated to a small number of targeted measures. Further funding has been allocated to Brexit protection, to create new markets and retain competitiveness. The restoration of the ANC is vital to farmers in Galway East. The most innovative measure is the new scheme for the weighing of calves. This will not only improve accuracy in beef quality control, it will also give some additional income to our farmers.

Given the long commutes of people in rural areas and the fact that it is costly to transport things around rural Ireland, I am delighted that there is no increase in the carbon tax. This is very important. I also welcome the €2 million for the community involvement schemes. In particular, Deputy Ring mentioned that rural and county roads are getting badly needed funding. I am delighted to see that the community involvement schemes are also mentioned, as well as the road drainage scheme. The rural regeneration and development fund of €53 million will give rural towns and villages the opportunity to become vibrant, living communities. I look forward to the announcement of funding.

The self-employed have done so much for our economy. I welcome the overdue decision to make them eligible for jobseeker’s benefit, along with increasing the earned income tax credit by €200. Workers will also benefit from the universal service charge and the increase in the starting rate for the upper tax band.

In summary, most of these measures are contained within the programme for Government. The challenge for me has been to ensure that we continue to deliver that programme.

I will finish by saying that rural Ireland is waiting patiently for the delivery of a proper national broadband service. I look forward to the completion of that tender process at the earliest possible date. High-speed broadband has become an essential requirement in our daily lives. Not having this service creates a disadvantage for business, education and farming. This is another programme for Government commitment which I want to see delivered in the shortest possible time.

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