Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Bill legislates for measures that were part of the cost-of-living package announced last month. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny we speak about social protection and in that regard I mention the €410 million worth of measures provided in that area. I mention the €200 working family payment for families who have not received the lump sum on their primary payment to be paid in April. There will be one €200 lump sum paid to them, even if a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment. People receiving child benefit will receive an additional lump sum of €100 per child in June 2023 and there will be an additional €100 payment for each child for whom the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance is to be paid in 2023. For a child aged from four to 11 years, the payment will be €260 and for those aged between 12 and 22, it will be €385. Parents have told me this is really welcome.

One of the biggest issues I have dealt with, one which I have raised numerous times, is the need to recognise the importance of the school meals programme. I note the completion of the roll-out of the hot school meals programme to all the remaining DEIS, primary and special schools this year. It is important that no child is hungry in school, which may be through no fault of the family as they may not have enough food. Children being fed in school is important. I recognise that the Government plans to seek approval to extend this scheme into non-DEIS primary schools. That too is important. I have been speaking to schools about this in recent weeks and it is a good and welcome move for them, and even more so for schoolchildren. Families who might be going through hard times know that at least their children are in school and getting hot meals under this programme.

The Minister spoke about €60 million in funding for education. I have spoken to him about Carlow having the South East Technological University, which we are so proud of. All funding for measures in education is important. I will mention Carlow College, St. Patrick's again so that the Minister will not forget the issue of its integration into the South East Technological University. I welcome the reduction in fees, which will cost €49 million. Approximately 148,800 children are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools. I mention the waiving of entry examination fees for approximately 135,000 students registered to take the 2023 leaving certificate and junior certificate. That is important and goes a long way in helping families. It also takes the pressure off them. Students sitting the examination this year will not have to pay these fees, which in 2019 were €116 for the leaving certificate and €109 for the junior certificate. All of these measures are welcome.

I want to talk about the extension of the 9% VAT rate for electricity and gas. It is proposed to extend this rate until 31 October 2023, at a cost of €115 million. Previous speakers have spoken about wanting to do more. The Minister wants to do more. I tell people every day in my constituency that if we could do more, we would. That is important. I know the Minister has a budget that he has to work from. The matters that keep being raised with me are information and the schemes themselves. I ask that when announcing schemes more information and communication are provided.

The temporary reduction in the VAT rate in the tourism and hospitality sector from 13.5% to 9% is being extended from 1 March to 31 August 2023, at an estimated cost of €300 million. This is a major issue. I know from speaking to hoteliers that it is another help to them because we all know it has been hard for people. I was speaking recently to a few people about the experience of being a first-time Dáil Deputy. Did anyone think three years ago that we would have had Covid, Brexit and a war in Ukraine? I am sure Opposition Deputies realise that too. Those issues created huge challenges for the Government. I speak to people daily and I see that things are hard but I also realise the challenges the Government is facing. We have to ensure we look after the most vulnerable as well as businesses. We must do our best to support as many people as we can.

Previous speakers raised the TBESS. That scheme was introduced to support qualifying businesses over the winter months with increases in electricity and natural gas costs caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I see the challenges facing the Government. Previous speakers mentioned the further extension of the six agri-tax reliefs. That is also important. I would love to do more, as would the Minister, but we need to at least try to do what we can to help people who need help. The Minister spoke about the temporary change in the BIK regime for vehicles, which was another huge issue and one I raised with him.

Many Government Deputies have spoken to the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, about the issues in our areas and nationally. We want to do more, as does the Minister. Housing was raised today and I have had a lot of people coming into my office to discuss mortgages and the lack of housing supply. I understand that and I know the Minister has given a commitment on the need to build houses. The lack of supply is the biggest issue we face and I know the Minister is committed to addressing it, as is the Government. We need to build houses faster. There are many good housing initiatives and it is important we highlight them. I thank the Minister. A lot of work has been done but there is a lot more to do.

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