Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

On each of the answers, bar the one on the wage subsidy scheme, all the Minister has done is to pass the parcel for matters that are her responsibility. The proposed report on fuel poverty is not looking to establish the impact of increased carbon taxes or the qualifying conditions but is to assess the fuel poverty that exists in the population. Nobody seems to want to touch this matter. As I said earlier, it was the job of the Joint Committee on Climate Action to recommend that it happens but it never did. I doubt if the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications will touch the matter either. It is shameful that the Government is not willing to do it.

The Minister has a point on the wage subsidy scheme if the office of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, is willing to cover that. I do not accept what the Minister said about the impact of the austerity measure on young people. I do not think that an austerity measure should be reduced over time; it should be removed and the people affected should be given back their right to full unemployment benefit.

Will the Minister repeat what she said about the implications for the Social Insurance Fund and employers' contributions? With respect, I ask her to give that to me again.

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