Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which is most welcome and will assist hundreds of thousands of people across many strands our society who would otherwise face a difficult time as we head into an uncertain winter.

The eight lump sum payments that amount to more than €1.2 billion could be the difference between a happy and a miserable Christmas for many individuals and families across the country. The payments have helped parents of young children, those living alone, carers and those on disability, among others. While January can be a dreary month for many, a €12 increase in the weekly payment from the start of 2023 will represent the largest increase for more than a decade and will ensure a happy new year for so many. I welcome that initiative. Pensioners, those caring for their loved ones and the elderly in their homes, those with disabilities and low-income families will see the benefit of these measures in the coming months and the supports will help with the current increase in the cost of living. I welcome also the increase in the domiciliary care allowance, which is of vital importance for many parents of children with disabilities and is a vital support to these families. This is the first payment increase they have received in more than 13 years, which is a significant step. The expansion of the working family payment threshold means hundreds, if not thousands, of families will now qualify for aid with the increased cost of the weekly shop, car fuel, bills and generally making ends meet and, therefore, it is an important step.

The CE scheme is important and has been of great assistance in reducing our live register figures and getting the long-term unemployed back into work. These part-time and temporary placements have become important to the social fabric. This is especially so in constituencies in rural Ireland such as the one I represent, where some fantastic work and important projects have been achieved. I am thankful the Minister has recognised the value of CE schemes by extending the eligibility criteria for participation in them to spouses, civil partners or cohabitants of jobseeker's allowance recipients. This is most welcome. Along with this, the lower employer PRSI rates as well as increase in the national minimum wage should boost employment figures.

The shake-up of the farm assist last June has helped thousands of farmers who avail of the agri-environmental schemes because they did not have contributions from social welfare payments to reduce this. This will see a doubling in the income that can be derived from schemes such as the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, or agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES and will be of great assistance in ensuring the future of farming in rural Ireland. The expansion of the farm assist means test is vital to the survival of this industry in my constituency.

I commend the Minister on her work and that of her Department in delivering the Bill, which demonstrates her and our party's compassion and empathy towards those who are struggling at this time. I commend the Bill to the House.

See this speech in context