Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

The decentralisation programme is progressing and over the next 18 months Departments and offices will have a presence in a total of 29 new locations around the country. Over the next six months alone, it is planned that the number of decentralised staff in their new locations will have grown to over 1,000 in approximately 20 towns around the country. The success of my own Department is a good example of the significant progress that has been made. Over 110 staff have relocated to Tullamore since July of this year. To put this in perspective, nearly one in six workers in the Department of Finance is now based outside Dublin. The fact the relocation was managed so efficiently and effectively is testament to the efforts of the staff involved, and points to the ultimate success for the programme. As further progress is achieved it will become clear that Departments can function just as efficiently and effectively outside of the capital.

Today's budget will assist us to meet our economic and social objectives through the range of prudent and innovative measures which have been announced. The significant changes to income tax, which I mentioned earlier, are in line with our policy to reward work. The modifications to VAT and corporation tax acknowledge the contribution which enterprises and, in particular small enterprises, make to the economy. The additional provision for public investment, will improve a broad range of key day-to-day public services.

The major improvements in the payments for those in receipt of social welfare payments and pensions and the additional services announced for the elderly and those in need is the Government's way of showing that it is listening and addressing the concerns of the less well-off and the vulnerable. The budget has been prepared to ensure balance, not just in fiscal or financial terms, but in terms of how it will benefit all of the people living, working and doing business in this country.