Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

The 2004 Estimates should be considered in the context of the Government's overall strategy to ensure the economy is as well placed as possible to benefit from the global recovery. We must also protect the tremendous gains made since 1997. I echo the words of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, who said earlier this week that she was pleased to have secured an increase in the social welfare Estimates. This increase underlines the Government's commitment to the elderly, care for children, the less well-off, the sick, those unable to care for themselves and the unemployed.

Senator Cummins said we had done nothing about social housing. He may choose to ignore the fact that the housing programmes proposed this year will cost in excess of €1.9 billion.