Results 821-840 of 4,717 for speaker:Martin Mansergh

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: In 2010, even after the budget reduction, more than €21 billion out €54 billion will be spent on social welfare, some 39% of gross Government expenditure-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----in a context where Exchequer would amount to €18.78 billion, or over 11.5% of GNP.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Perhaps those on the opposite side do not want to pay any attention to economic and financial realities. So be it, that is their choice. The social welfare system generally tracks the cost of living. In certain periods, after we joined the EEC, and I pay tribute to the national coalition of 1973-1977 in this respect,-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----during the early 1980s, during the early 1990s when the commission on social welfare report was being implemented, which former Minister for Social Welfare, Gemma Hussey, said in 1986 would be unaffordable,-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: -----and during the boom years, payments considerably higher than inflation were paid. I am immensely proud of what Fianna Fáil has managed to do-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: ----- on social welfare payments over the past 22 years. It stands up to any examination. The Taoiseach mentioned this morning the 330% increase in child benefit at a time when inflation rose by 40%, most of the payments increased by more than 100%.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The reality is that social welfare payments achieved increases that have never before been achieved in the history of the State. The idea that the boom was wasted is wrong, a great deal of it went into social expenditure and I well remember, particularly in the 2002 election, constituents being grateful for both the increase in old age pensions and in child benefit.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: There was a narrowing of inequality and a reduction in child poverty and the numbers at risk of poverty. There are studies that have established this.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: In the mid-1980s when we were last in similar difficulties, of financial necessity there was a more restrictive social welfare policy. Food subsidies were abolished and the Christmas bonus was suspended for two years. Social welfare increases barely matched the cost of living.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We are now in a different situation where the cost of living has fallen.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: For the first time in history since the 1920s it has fallen by 4%, and given there has been a 6.5% fall inflation from October 2008 to October 2009, or 4.4% estimated for the year-----

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We take in silence very strong attacks from the other side so I might be allowed to have my say. The Taoiseach spoke this morning about the psychology which comes from belonging to the single currency and deflation. Exactly the same thing in real terms had to be done by Fine Gael and Labour in the mid-1980s as we have to do now. I have not the least doubt that if and when the Opposition...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The important thing is that the capacity to pay be maintained, that cheques are honoured and they do not bounce.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I accept that social welfare is a safety net for most people and there is not much of a margin with it. I know and understand people find it a struggle. Nonetheless, we are maintaining 2008 rates of payment on 2003 rates of revenue. Reference was made to fraud. A photographic identity card is being introduced next year and I am sure that will help to limit fraud.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I want to congratulate community welfare officers around the country for the tremendous work they have done during the recent flooding crisis. Incidentally, that is a discretionary scheme that is not capped and so they have been able to spend whatever has been needed along with administering humanitarian aid. I do not think the 50 cent prescription charge is excessive. People need medicines...

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: This, unfortunately, is a necessary reform. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs is a caring and effective Minister. She has defended the social welfare to the limits of the possible.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: We must do what we have to do and it would help if Opposition Members would sometimes explain the underlying realities. It is not in anyone's interest that cheques from the Government to public servants or social welfare recipients bounce. We must get our public finances back in order.

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: I would say that to my constituents in south Tipperary and, this might surprise the Deputy, but I do not mind a damn whether I get back into the House. I would prefer that we sort this problem, that we exercise our responsibility over five years and that we hand over to the next Government, whoever it is, an economy in reasonable health. Whether I am back in this House is unimportant...

Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: Rubbish.

Seanad: Budget 2010: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Martin Mansergh: The budget for 2010 has been formulated in the context of an unprecedented rate of economic decline which we have experienced in the past year and a half. As a small open economy, we could not escape the full impact of the severe global recession, but it has been compounded by purely domestic factors. As a result, our GDP this year will decline by approximately 7.5% and an Exchequer deficit...