Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support the Bill and welcome the fact that we are promulgating this legislation. Considering it realistically, this measure will cost €122 million, so it is quite a significant intervention by the Government. To be fair, that has to be acknowledged. If €100 for every child is being put into households in June, that has to be acknowledged. I will say that first and foremost.

For the record, I would like to understand the manner in which the legislation is being brought forward and will seek clarification from the Minister. The power vested in the Minister under the legislation is only to be used to provide for an increase. As I understand it, the legislation cannot be used for decreases. Is that the case? That is the first question. For the record, the Minister is nodding in assent. If I understand correctly, any temporary variations such as that the Minister is proposing today require primary legislation and cannot be done through secondary legislation.

On that basis, I welcome this legislation. It puts money back into households and is designed to meet the costs of raising children in this State at this point in time. I acknowledge that the rate of inflation is running at approximately 6%. The ESRI tells us it is moderating slightly. I worry that supermarkets are still charging exorbitant prices for food, which has a bearing, given that real income remains quite fixed and inflationary costs to households mean the reduction in real incomes is having a knock-on effect. A measure like this will provide some alleviation, which must be acknowledged. We support the Bill on that basis.

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