Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

——and the anomalies in the system which mean that those in receipt of social welfare, where they are discriminated against by virtue of the fact that their husband or wife has died, cannot access additional payments. It is important to look at it. I appeal to the Minister to have another look it as I am aware she promised to evaluate the system. Perhaps before Committee Stage we will be able to make those changes.

A social welfare package of €11.26 billion cannot be scoffed or laughed at. An extra package of €630 million in 2004 or a 7% increase on the 2003 figures, which was agreed in the budgetary framework of 2003, is something of which we should be proud. It is geared towards looking after the less well-off in our communities, the unemployed, child benefit, respite care, respite grant, death grant and so on.

I welcome the Minister and I am pleased the Bill is before the House. I look forward to the passage of Second Stage this evening and, in the context of the next Stage, the possibility of reversing some of the changes not only in this Bill but in previous Bills.