John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Perhaps it was mentioned, although I did not see it. Nothing has been done, however, to redress the balance to deal with those who continuously get away with not paying any income tax. Under this budget they will continue to do so. It is wrong and I would like to hear the Minister of State's views on the issue.

Reference was made in the Lower House to the changes made last year by the previous Minister for Social and Family Affairs, and the failure of today's Budget Statement to make any significant reversal to the miserly cuts in last year's budget. It is noteworthy that the Minister did not seek to reverse the decisions made last year. In most cases, we are talking about small amounts of money that would deliver meaningful benefits for people on the margins of society.

We heard much from the Minister for Finance today and I suspect that we will hear a lot from Government Senators about the new caring, sharing Government. If they want the Government to be caring and sharing, however, they should have done something to reverse last year's cutbacks.

Of particular interest to me and other Members is the area of special educational needs. I was disappointed the Minister did not use the largesse at his disposal to make a significant announcement in that regard.