Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his response and for outlining the benefits. Payments have rightly improved significantly in recent years. Senator McCarthy made an important point in that, while none of us wants to say that unemployed people or those on low incomes should not have social lives, there should be some training and management of funds, which was my initial point.

The Minister cited the back to school allowance, which is the only figure that must be vouched for. We are sure that it will be spent on children but other payments could be spent on anything. I am not saying that we should look for vouchers or receipts from people for their child care supplement spending, but there is a danger that the money handed out will not be spent on the children. The intention is to help parents with their child care costs but it is a universal supplement given to everyone with a child under the age of six years. While the supplement is welcome, we know that it does not go far in terms of the weekly costs of child care and can be spent in other ways.

The back to school allowance is positive and ensures that children will get proper clothing. As has been raised here and in the other House, figures every September show us that the supplement is a small amount. I do not want to delay the House further on this amendment because we are all as one. We want to ensure that money is well spent and that children benefit from it.