Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Ceann Comhairle.

INTRODUCTION

Recent budgets in this House have responded to Brexit, to a pandemic, to the war in Ukraine, and now to the rising cost of living. In response to all of these challenges, the Government has helped. Businesses received huge support while their trade was disrupted due to Covid. The wages of those impacted by the pandemic were supported. Shelter and warmth have been provided to those fleeing conflict. Significant help was provided and is being provided to those coping with large increases in the cost of living. All of this was done from a position of strength. The Government, the Minister, Deputy McGrath, and I are deeply aware of the needs of so many today. This is why those actions were taken. Ireland is still a great country to call home, a safe place in which to live and a nation that takes its responsibilities to its citizens and to other nations seriously. We are aware of what we owe to each other, particularly our most vulnerable. We are aware of what we owe to generations to come. This strength is mirrored in our economy. In recent years we have returned our public finances to surplus twice, we have now decided to set up funds to make best use of those surpluses, we have reduced the burden of our national debt, and we have never had more people working in our country.

I remember the opposition to setting up the rainy-day fund and then the National Reserve Fund. We know their value now.

This economic resilience, the importance of carefully managing our public finances is, at times, a difficult argument to make, making the case for not spending every cent we have, but it allowed the Government to help last year when prices began to rise. It will allow us to help again as the cost of living is still a challenge for so many.

TEMPORARY SUPPORT MEASURES

COST OF LIVING

Some €12 billion in cost-of-living supports have been provided over the past two years to families, businesses and community organisations, meaning that for many, the supports provided have significantly reduced the impact of inflation. However, even as inflation falls and energy bills begin to decrease, we are conscious that many people listening today are so concerned about rising costs and, particularly, the challenges of lighting and heating their homes this winter.

This budget provides an immediate and substantial response across 2023 and 2024. Our supports are targeted to the families that need them most, to older persons, households with young people and those with a disability. Today, I am announcing that all households will receive a further set of credits to assist with energy bills over the winter period. Three credits of €150 each will be provided between the end of this year and April of next year. A €300 lump sum will be paid to recipients of the fuel allowance in the last quarter of the year. An additional €200 will also be paid this year to recipients of the living alone allowance. For those who are in receipt of regular payments from the Department of Social Protection, I can confirm to the House that the Christmas bonus will be paid in early December.

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