Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

Part of the Minister's brief includes the family as well as social affairs. We have a clear vision of the type of family we want to build in today's Ireland. We cannot and should not go back to the old-style authoritarian family where children knew their place. However, we certainly do not want to see the excessive individualism that exists in some countries, where it is all based on selfish attitudes and family life does not get a look in. Our challenge is to blend the love and support which existed in traditional families with the recognition that all family members – men, women and children – have equal rights.

As regards family friendly policies, the Government is committed to supporting parents in taking up work where they wish to do so. However, the Government is also committed to supporting parents who choose to care in the home. That is why in recent budgets we decided to invest massively in child benefit. I welcome the €8 increase for the first two children and the €10 increase for the third and subsequent children. The Government is supporting the choices parents themselves are making in caring for their children. That is why it increased the pension payable to women in the home to the full old-age, non-contributory rate.

The latest child benefit increases form part of the largest ever series of increases in child benefit in the history of the State. I congratulate the Minister and the Government on having achieved that. After only six years, the basic rate has been more than trebled, and a family with three children will receive €283 more per month than in 1997.