Dáil debates

Thursday, 29 September 2022

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed)

 

2:15 pm

Photo of Joe FlahertyJoe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We sought a progressive and decisive budget and one that was mindful of the once-in-a-lifetime challenges facing the country in the form of the energy and cost-of-living crises. The Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Michael McGrath, have certainly responded and I thank them both, as well as their staff. Doubtless they spent many long hours over recent months to come up with budget 2023. It is important we also acknowledge that a budget is just a snapshot in time and no one budget will every resolve all the issues in their entirety. We have one party in this House that reckons it will take it ten years to sort out the country yet it expects one budget to effect wholesale and transformative change. What we have seen is a decisive budget focused on the key objective of this Government, which is equality of opportunity for all. We will certainly build on this in subsequent budgets during the lifetime of this Government. What we have seen this week from the Government is a real statement of intent in the areas of housing, health, education and childcare. We will continue to build on that in subsequent budgets as we work towards being one of the most inclusive and progressive societies in modern Europe.

I will address a number of key components of the budget. I thank the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, for listening to our concerns about the rates issue in County Longford where, following the escalation of decarbonisation and the closure of the ESB power plant, the local authority was faced with a €1.3 million rates shortfall. I am thankful the Government has once again committed to making up the shortfall in rates in County Longford. That is an important component within this budget.

The Government was very inclusive and listened to the recommendations of Members on all sides of the House. In the months leading up to the budget we were all very much aware of the massive energy crisis affecting SMEs throughout the country. To its credit, the Government has responded with the energy rebate scheme, which will be retrospective from September and run until February. It is a massive support to businesses that are struggling and will be rolled out quickly and effectively. The overwhelming message from that community is that it is welcoming this measure and that is important to put on record.

It has been a brave and a bold budget for education and I commend the Minister, Deputy Foley, on her work and on delivering so strongly. We see a commitment to continue with 453 building projects throughout the lifetime of the Government. That is important to us in County Longford in particular as we have a number of notable building projects, including the convent, St. Mel's College, our two secondary schools in Ballymahon and the community college in Lanesborough. This budget is a real statement of intent about education. We have seen that with the abolition of charges for schoolbooks in primary schools. I hope within the lifetime of this Government we will see the elimination of schoolbook costs at second level as well.

There are highs and lows in any political life but Tuesday was one of the good days because we sought to reach out and assist those who have been worst affected in the face of the energy and cost-of-living crisis. Our President has in the past spoken of the need to ensure we have a glass floor within society through which no group is ever allowed to fall and never has the Government of the day's commitment to those who are struggling been more evident than in budget 2023. As I said, a budget is merely a snapshot in time and will not encompass or deal with every issue but we have seen massive expenditure. As previous speakers have said, our budget is in many respects the envy of many of our European peers. That is down to the prudent and effective management of our finances by the Government of the day.

At times it is a difficult, three-party Government. However, we have seen the value of the Government in this budget and we have seen its commitment to those who are worst affected in a time of unprecedented crisis. I am especially proud to be associated with the budget. It delivered on many of the issues that I highlighted to both Ministers. I am delighted that my concerns were taken on board. On the whole, the society that we serve and to which we give so much is in the main pleased, happy and, more importantly, reassured by this budget. People are reassured that they know the Government has taken account of the challenges and difficulties that many families are facing. The Government has responded in kind through budget 2023.

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