Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí uilig a bhí páirteach sa díospóireacht seo. B'fhéidir nach bhfuil muid uilig ar an taobh céanna ach is breá an rud go bhfuil ocáid agam agus ag mo Roinn éisteacht leis an méid atá le rá ag bunadh an tSeanaid mar gheall ar an Bhille tábhachtach seo. Bhí díospóireacht fada faoi sa Dáil nuair a luadh go leor de na rudaí a luadh anseo.

My experience at the Department of Social and Family Affairs is short. There has been a recurring theme to what has been said on this issue both here and in the Lower House. This reflects the practicality of politics and those issues which come to the fore when caring for those we represent.

The spectrum of funding provided, the change in the economic climate and the value of what the Government has given to the less well-off are exemplified in one figure. My Department was allocated €530 million in this year's budget with only €180 million in tax concessions being provided for. That is the right balance in the context of the climate in which we now find ourselves.

Like other Ministers and Members of either House, we would like to have extra money to do more. As we do not, we have to prioritise. One such priority is the support of the elderly which is progressively coming towards the recommendations of the NAPS and An Agreed Programme for Government. Equally, carers are an important element of the programme, as is the elimination of child poverty. We will focus for the next couple of years on addressing the many ideas outlined in the NAPS. This is our first year in operation and God willing we will have more years to deliver. We are moving towards the delivery of our programme and commitments while not taking from existing commitments within the Department. However, we must prioritise.