Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I am not feeling the cold, but, as the Minister knows well, 50,000 homes currently do not have central heating. That is a scandal in 2002. We could reduce the number for an amount €2.5 billion, which I realise is a great deal of money. A real priority for the Government should be to say that between now and 2005, every local authority house will have central heating. That is achievable and the kind of measure we should introduce to eliminate poverty.

I ask the Minister to reform the child dependant allowance. As she is aware, there are three rates applicable. If a person is unemployed, one rate is applicable for their child while another rate applies if the person is a widow. The allowance should be reformed. I ask the Minister to examine this issue as we move forward in terms of reforming the social welfare code.