Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome the significant increased supports in the budget, including the reduction in taxation, the increase in social welfare payments and expanding the fuel allowance and making it easier for people to access, there is a significant problem for what we call the “working poor”, such as people who are on tracker mortgages. I have a constituent whose mortgage has gone up by €60 per week, which he cannot pay. Even though he is a single earner, he has three young children. He is benefiting in many ways from the budget and I fully respect and support that. We need to do more to help the working poor, as well as people whose mortgages have been moved to Pepper Mortgages. They are being crucified with interest rates they cannot pay. They envisage the likes of the vulture funds taking possession of their homes in the future. I fully support all the Minister is doing. I welcome all the changes, but he needs to do more to help the working poor particularly those who have difficulties with their tracker mortgages and Pepper Mortgages.

See this speech in context