Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will try to stick reasonably to the point. Like the Deputy from Mayo, we have a lot of those people coming into our constituency offices. They are starting to see change in relation to property and getting their first home. Specifically in rural Ireland, we have seen that with the Croí Cónaithe scheme. I am sure the Deputy is getting as many inquiries as we are. We have also seen that with the help-to-buy scheme, which the Deputy did not agree with either. There has been an important amendment to the first home scheme, which now covers first builds as well. It is probably fair to say that there is no other European country that has the suite of supports that we have introduced in this country to aid first-time home buyers.

In relation to the amendment on rent, it is an important first step. Certainly, I would agree with some aspects in terms of overseas students. I know our colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, has been very vocal on the issue. It is something that we need to look at into the future. As Deputy Durkan said, it is an important first step and we will build on in it in subsequent budgets.

I have to go back to the agriculture committee but before I leave, I will make one point on the Bill, which relates to the cost of business support scheme. I know that the Minister's officials are looking at it but I am concerned that a large number of employers are going to miss out on the scheme. There is a collection of issues that are going to affect these small business in the new year. There is the increase in the minimum wage and statutory sick pay. These are all laudable interventions and important parts of our programme for Government but they are going to add significantly to the cost base for an awful lot of small rural businesses. Some of them, because of the €20,000 threshold on the cost of business scheme, will be outside the remit of the scheme. One of the ideas that they have put forward, and one I would like the Minister to look at, is the abolition of PRSI for low-paid workers over a short-term three-year period. Hopefully, that is something the Minister can look at.

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