Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)

This is not a utopian budget. It is not a budget that solves every problem. Despite what the Opposition proclaims, no budget ever could. The budget serves two main purposes. The first is to rein in public expenditure, which has been on the rise significantly since 2020. I welcome the budget's approach to reducing the trajectory of the spending of taxpayers' money. It is a prudent budget. The second plank of the budget is to finance the single most significant social issue of our day, which is the lack of housing. I welcome the increased investment in housing, which includes an enhanced funding allocation of €563 million to support the provision of homeless services, an extension of the renter's tax credit of €1,000 for three years and an increase in funding to our local authorities to support them in building more homes for our citizens.

The Opposition has suggested that there have been no cost-of-living benefits for the public. This is untrue and disingenuous. The minimum wage has been increased to €14.15. The fuel allowance has been increased to €38, providing an additional €140 during the fuel allowance season. State pensions have been increased. Those on child benefit will get €8 more per week for children under 12 and €16 more per week for children over 12. Measures introduced by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will save an average of €100 per year for households and businesses, with the VAT reduction in place until 2030. This budget also looks to the future and provides for a rainy day fund, with €1 billion set aside in a contingency reserve that will be held centrally.

Since my election to this House, I have been visiting schools across my community and meeting principals, teachers and parents to see how the State can best support our education system. Time and again, personnel in schools told me that they needed to see an increase in the capitation grant so that they can keep the heating and lights on, cover their insurance costs and meet other costs. It is important to welcome that the capitation grant has been increased by €50 per pupil for primary and special schools and €20 per pupil for post-primary schools. This will help ensure that each child has an equal opportunity to learn in a suitable environment. There have been lots of complaints and accusations by the Opposition that there were broken promises because we did not deliver on preschool places. That was never going to be delivered in the first budget. In fact, the programme for Government commits to reducing childcare costs progressively. I welcome the increased funding for the childcare sector, which will help increase much-needed places for young children and support for families.

When I knock on doors around my constituency of Dublin Bay North, my constituents tell me they want safer streets. I welcome the €77 million in funding to get an extra 1,000 gardaí on our streets and into our communities. I welcome the overtime budget to provide an additional 392,000 hours to meet the demand for a visible and responsive policing force. I welcome the €7.3 million in additional funding for youth diversion projects, which will provide opportunities for young people and will steer them in the right direction.

I welcome the budget and its awareness of the uncertain global environment. It recognises the challenges ahead and puts forward real solutions to ensure our economy and society remain resilient in a changing world.

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