Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2022 has a lot of wins for young people, a group I think we can all agree are overdue some good news after the last 18 months we have all had. The introduction of half-price travel for 19-to-23-year-olds has been enthusiastically welcomed by students and young working people. It will not only halve their cost of travel but also help us address our carbon emissions by encouraging young people to turn to public transport.

I also really welcome the additional supports for third level education. The SUSI maintenance grant will increase by €200, which is really significant, as are the threshold changes.

Another measure I really welcome is the free contraception for young women aged 17 to 25. That is progressive. It is a progressive move for young people and a progressive measure for women's health. Beyond the financial implications, it is a direct message to the young women of Ireland that this Government is listening to them. Free contraception gives young women affordable reproductive healthcare and greater bodily autonomy. I am really pleased with the dedicated women's healthcare package worth €31 million, in particular progression when it comes to period poverty, additional funding for sexual assault treatment units and the implementation of the national maternity strategy and gynaecological model of care, all issues I have raised in the House before.

The Government's commitment of €716 million for childcare marks a record State investment in the area and a real commitment to tackling the crippling cost of childcare. I welcome the extension of the national childcare scheme and the extra €22.50 a week it will put in parents' pockets.

Free travel for our young people, free contraception for our young women and an investment in areas such as justice, healthcare and childcare will make a real difference and, crucially, they are deliverable. The onus is on the Government to ensure that the budget Estimates are appropriately costed. It is important to note that no such requirement is placed on Opposition parties. That is why in the alternative budget of Sinn Féin, for example, the party has ended up over €3 billion short when its costings are compared with the actual costings for its proposals.

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