Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution on this, my 14th budget in this House. I heard reference to the fourth of Deputy Higgins. I know the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and I were here 12 or 13 years ago, in February 2011, and shortly thereafter, we passed two budgets in that year. I am pleased to be able to make another contribution on another budget, which is budget 2024. I believe it will have a serious, positive impact on individuals and families up and down the country. While no budget will ever achieve everything that we would like to do in any one year, it is important to recognise the advancements that have been made in budget 2024, building on successive budgets that have delivered. Despite the naysaying from the Members opposite, a huge number of positive steps have been taken in this budget with relatively finite resources. The economy is booming. We are doing extremely well, but we cannot be flaithiúlach and just throw money at absolutely everything. We have to make choices and I believe we have made some very good choices.

I particularly note the significant changes made with regard to An Garda Síochána, which will allow it to carry out its duties with greater support from both the members of An Garda Síochána and indeed the public. Among these measures, funding has been provided for up to 1,000 new gardaí and 250 civilian staff. That will result, of course, in more gardaí on the beat on our streets, helping to build stronger and safer communities. It is always a challenge, which I think all Members of the House will accept, to recruit public servants when we are at a full economy. We have 4% unemployment. I think it is less than 4% at the moment. A record number of people are in employment, at 2.6 million. It is difficult to recruit individuals. That is why the 66% increase in the Garda training allowance, rising to €305 per week, is an important step that the Government has taken. That is because we want to be able to recruit individuals who may have financial commitments. While they are training for those 32 weeks in Templemore, their accommodation needs and board are met, but they may have bills and families. It is important that we recognise that. I think that is a positive step.

I also wish to acknowledge the 25% increase in the Garda overtime budget, which will allow high-visibility policing in our towns and cities and tackle antisocial behaviour and more. A new national office for community safety and a roll-out of community safety partnerships will be provided, giving local communities a direct say in security measures within their locality. In total, this budget will see a €500 million increase since the Minister, Deputy McEntee, took office in 2020. I believe that should be both mentioned and commended.

Many people are still suffering as a result of inflationary effects, most notably on energy costs, but also on the grocery bill. That is why it is important that the Government invests again in cost-of-living measures. It reaffirms our commitment to helping people to get through not just the winter, but the entire year. This budget will see three energy credits delivered to every household, totalling €450 between the end of the year and April 2024. Pensions and all other core social protection payments will rise by €12. A double payment of child benefit will be paid before Christmas. An extension to this scheme will cover children in full-time education up to the age of 18, which I strongly welcome. Recipients of the fuel allowance will see a one-off payment of €300, while people in receipt of the living alone allowance will see a lump sum of €200, and carers will receive a one-off payment of €400.

I also welcome the announcement that further supports will be provided to fosterers around the country. However, I was a little disappointed that it will not kick in until September of next year. I ask the Government to please reflect on that, because the 5,000 fosterers across the country provide an extraordinary service to this State and the children in their care. While there have been measures relating to inheritance for foster children and their foster parents, it is important that we make a statement to them that we care for them and value them as citizens and as service providers, because they are service providers.

I welcome, as my colleague already has, the extension to the free schoolbooks scheme to cover secondary school for the first time, including first, second and third year.

Regarding work and tax, an increase of €100 to the PAYE tax credit and the higher rate of income tax, which now stands at €42,000, will mean that people will keep more of their hard-earned money each month. It offers a saving of up to €800 for average income earners, which is no small amount.

As my colleague, Deputy Higgins, referred to, the leap in the minimum wage between 2011, when the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and I started in this House, when it was €7.65, to €12.70 in January of this year, is just that. It is a leap. It is an 85% increase. It is a very significant amount of money and, on this occasion, we are increasing it by 12% to €12.70. It is the tenth increase by Fine Gael while in government over the past 12 years. However, I point out, as I do almost every year when the minimum wage is adjusted, that I do not accept or agree with the sliding scale that is applied to 20-year-olds, 19-year-olds, and 18-year-olds and under. Work is work. The value of that work is reflected in the pay packet, not their potential overheads.

I would like to make that very clear. The rent tax credit has also been increased to €750 in 2024.

The €250 million package for SMEs will help them defray the additional costs of the minimum wage increase and the general cost of doing business. That is an important safety net the Government should provide. It will cover approximately 87% of ratepayers. Given the feedback I have received thus far, further work will need to be done to assure small businesses throughout the country that they will be included in the scheme.

I will raise a couple of other matters. There is an increase, both capital and current, in the Department of Defence for an additional 400 personnel in the Defence Forces. I will use this opportunity to insist that the Government looks again at the retention issue within our Defence Forces.

I also welcome the continued fare reductions in public transport, which are essential in encouraging more people to get out of their cars and onto public transport to reduce their carbon emissions.

On housing, an ambitious target has been set for 9,300 new social homes throughout this State. That is the minimum we should try to achieve in order to drive down the number of people on housing lists. I also recognise that 6,400 affordable and cost-rental homes is a target we should aspire to beat because of the number of individuals who are so desperate to buy their own homes at present but are simply priced out of the market.

I commend the Ministers on all their hard work. I commend the budget.

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