Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a Deputy for Dublin Fingal. Deputy Canney will not be surprised to hear that horticultural peat is an issue that affects my constituency greatly as well. I look forward to a resolution of that matter.

Budget 2022 is a very positive one and will benefit people throughout the country, from all backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of what has been claimed by others, I believe people will be better off as a result of the measures contained in it. For example, €716 million is being spent on childcare, which I believe will be a turning point for the sector. It will support providers with costs, improve wages and has the capacity to ensure that no fee increases will take place for parents in the near future. That should be welcomed. Families will also benefit from free GP care for six-year-olds and seven-year-olds, and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance has been increased by €10. Parents will soon be able to avail of an additional two weeks of parent's benefit, rising from five to seven weeks.

I am a member of the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Education is vital to building the type of future that we want to achieve in this country and I am, therefore, very encouraged by the additional 1,165 special needs assistants to be recruited. That means children will get more time and more attention, which they need. Moreover, an additional 800 new teachers will be required and recruited to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio by one point to 24:1. These are profoundly important steps in delivering quality education.

Unfortunately, we have seen a significant increase in anti-social behaviour in recent years. All Members have witnessed unfortunate episodes being recorded in their constituencies. Indeed, I witnessed a horrifying event on the train last Wednesday evening. I am, therefore, encouraged to see that 800 new gardaí will be recruited, along with 400 additional civilian Garda staff to support officers in their duties. This alone will not solve antisocial behaviour. If we take a multifaceted approach to the problem, however, we can get results. Of course, that starts in school.

The introduction of the national youth travel card is a very positive step. I commend the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on taking it. People aged between 19 years and 23 years will be able to avail of 50% off their travel costs. That will not only encourage them to use public transport but also, frankly, I hope it will encourage a few of them, at least, not to purchase a car and perhaps get into the habit of using public transport more often, where it is available.

Increases in the pension, fuel allowance and social welfare and the reduction in the drugs payments scheme are also very welcome initiatives in this budget. I should also mention, for the eighth time in my ten years in this House, an increase in the national minimum wage, which is welcome.

Tax bands have been changed as well. That will benefit an average income earner to the tune of €400 per year. That is also welcome.

Finally, I take this opportunity to mention and welcome the reduction in the national debt that this budget envisages. It is vital that we do not burden future generations with significant debt and I believe that through the growth that is envisaged in this budget we will be able to achieve that.

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