These are impressive achievements by any standards and the growth of the economy has generated the resources needed to finance massive increases in the levels of social provision. Consider what has been achieved in social progress since the coalition took office in 1997. The basic rate of the old age pension has been increased from €99 per week to €149 per week, providing the older generation with a real dividend from economic growth and a real reward for their efforts and sacrifices; child benefit has been trebled, providing strong support for family life and helping parents to cope with the financial pressures of raising children –