Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

The measure of a Government's caring philosophy is not just found in a Finance Bill, but also in the detail of its annual social welfare provisions. Notwithstanding the grandstanding of certain Opposition Members on a number of issues, a social welfare budget of €11 billion is a remarkable achievement by any yardstick, particularly in the context of the economic uncertainty obtaining when the Estimates were being drawn up. That fact should not be lost on those who criticise from the sidelines. I do not mean to suggest criticisms, particularly of social welfare provisions, are not justified at different levels. However, I have every confidence that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs will robustly defend her position and answer those of her critics who have singled out various aspects of the budgetary proposals which affect her Department.

My colleagues have outlined the details of the various increases. The word "increases" is bandied about a great deal when talking about the budgetary provisions of all Governments. The devil, they say, is in the detail although that is more of a legal term than anything else. When one examines the detail of the provisions before the House, one sees the increases are, in many instances, quite substantial. I have benefited as a parent of five children between the ages of eight and 16 from the massive increases in child benefit since 1997. More accurately, my wife has benefited from the increases as she has ring-fenced the money as most mothers and wives do. Indeed, I suggest that is in keeping with the original concept behind what was known as "women's money". I welcome, applaud and support these provisions. If I did not, it would not make a blind bit of difference as my wife would not let me see a euro of the money anyway. I have noticed in terms of house management the manner in which my wife manages child benefit to the advantage of our children. I am sure the same is true of households across the country. The money is used wisely. Notwithstanding minor income from other sources, I rely as a full-time public representative on the good offices of the Minister for Finance each year to provide an extra few euro. The child benefit which is provided to our house is an essential plank of our housekeeping budget.

I applaud the Minister who managed to fight her corner successfully at a time when most Departments were under severe threat. Last July, Ministers and their Departments set about formulating a draft of the annual Estimates. Things looked fairly grim at that time and growth was not buoyant. Economists, who usually differ more than Cheltenham racegoers, were united in not knowing what way the economy was going to bounce. To have secured significant increases across the board and an overall budget of more than €11 billion in such an environment is a magnificent achievement and one on which I congratulate and applaud the Minister.

As someone like me, who was reared in the snipe grass of the north west, the Minister knows the value of a euro.