Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have sought to help to date. We will do more and we will help people who most need it, in particular. We are working on finalising the summer economic statement, and the preparations for the budget are now under way. We are looking at all of the options that are open to Government with a view to making a real impact. It is our assessment that the autumn, coming into the winter, is when people will need help most. We know there are people who need help now. We are criticised every time we highlight that there is an additional needs payment, but we should all highlight the fact that there has been a change in a rule in order that people working full time can now access that payment. If people need assistance with a fuel bill, with repairing a boiler or for clothes and food, they should approach their community welfare officer. I believe they will find him or her supportive. We have to, as a Government, acknowledge the fact that global economic conditions are changing. They are deteriorating. At some point that will impact on Ireland. The cost of borrowing for us as a country, as well as for individuals, is rising. We have to take all of that into account, but work is well under way on the package the Deputy touched on.

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