Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I am not saying the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, will not be able to answer it. The Minister's Budget Statement referred to an increase of 15% in the forestry premium and 17% in REPS payments. Does that mean there will be a 17% increase in all contracted REPS in place, or does it refer to an increase in the announced REPS 4? There is confusion. The information is woolly. If it means a 17% increase to what already exists and if it applies to all people under contract, it is a worthwhile scheme. I suspect, however, that is not the case. I ask the Minister of State to get me the details because it is a very interesting situation for farming.

This budget will do nothing to respond to situations which have arisen in the past couple of months where people have been excluded, forgotten and failed by us, and none more recent than that concerning the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, and mental health services for children and adolescents. Although there is a paragraph in the Budget Statement on the policy, there is nothing in it which responds by way of financial support, other than what has been said in previous declarations of intent. I expect the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, will row in behind the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, in his time of crisis but the reality is there is nothing in the Budget Statement to indicate an improvement.