Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions. There are some areas of difference but it is fair to say the Bill has been broadly welcomed, as have the measures in the budget. I know there is an ongoing question of income adequacy and we are still in a cost-of-living crisis. I understand the concerns about core rates and how people see them as inadequate. The full picture has to include the lump sums and they are getting out to people this week. It is the nature of the Exchequer funds available to us; some of it is unstable and we have to be careful with what we have. That is essentially the logic of the lump sums. Over time, we would all like to see some of those lump sums going into the core rates but that will not happen over one or two budgets.Energy credits will be on the way as well.

Concerns were raised about disability supports and questions around the Green Paper. That is being worked through. It is a straw man proposal and an attempt to address the fact people with disabilities have additional costs. It is part of the response to the cost of disability report. We would encourage input and engagement. Officials in the Department are going around the country explaining the proposals, as well as listening to people.

It is important legislation in terms of reforms to the State pension, giving people flexibility with regard to when they start taking the State pension. Last week I was in a clinic with an employer who has a number of employees who want to continue working but face quite a tax bill if they get the State pension now and continue working. This measure will make their lives easier and allow them to take home more money as well.

Important questions were raised around supports for carers. The Minister has been consistent over a number of budgets in her commitments to carers. The Bill will see contributory pension going to carers for the first time.

I thank everyone for their input. The Minister has been collecting questions and requests for clarification during the session and will respond to them all in due course.

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