Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this Private Members' motion. This Government finds itself in the unique position of being awash with cash - a €10 billion surplus this year rising to €65 billion over the next three years. It has more money than it knows what to do with. The Minister for Finance is apparently going to bring a memorandum to Cabinet with suggestions as to what to do with this bonanza of tax receipts, yet there is no mention of using any of this extra income to tackle fundamental problems in our society.

I will make some suggestions. We have a completely unacceptable level of poverty. These are the people most affected by the cost-of-living crisis and in particular the huge rise of 17% in food prices over the past year. The buying power of wages and social welfare payments has been cut. A survey by Barnardos on child poverty found that one in four adults looking after children were worried about being able to provide food for their children. Ten percent of those surveyed were skipping meals or eating reduced portions to ensure their children had enough and were doing so on a weekly basis, while 30% were doing it on an occasional basis. Among those out of work, 40% admitted to skipping meals or having reduced portions.

The effects of poor nutrition on children are well documented, which is why the Government has indicated that the free school meals programme in DEIS schools will be extended to all schools by 2030. Given that not all children who do not get enough nutrition go to DEIS schools, why wait another seven years to implement this programme in full? It should be implemented in all schools over the next year with the money the Minister for Finance has in his back pocket.

Today we saw the report of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, which showed that one in four users of domestic gas is in arrears. This is 160,399 households. According to the chairperson of the CRU, the payment of €200 by the State for electricity had a short-term effect on reducing arrears but arrears levels are back to where they were before that payment. There are no credits for domestic gas. I and other Deputies repeatedly argued that a targeted approach to help those in need was required and it still is required, particularly for customers with gas pay-as-you-go meters. These people are particularly vulnerable to being cut off and not having access to heating. An extension of the winter fuel allowance would be much more effective in helping those struggling to heat their homes or keep their lights on. Again, the money is there and it should be done now.

In the early part of last year, there were repeated demands from the Opposition for an emergency budget to help those worst hit by the cost-of-living crisis. The Government flatly refused to do so for no good reason and told these people they had to wait until the budget in October. People had to wait until October for increases that even then did not match the rise in prices. We need action now that will make a difference. Welfare rates and the State pension should be increased by 20%. The money is there and there is no excuse. The Minister must respond with the money he has in his pocket and not put it into a fund for the future when people need it now.

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