Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I am very happy to speak on the motion. I have been in the House since this debate commenced at 5 p.m. so I have heard everyone speak. It seems there is a misperception in regard to what a budget is about. One must take it in the round with the Estimates. People have been shouting that there is nothing in the Budget Statement for various items but the Estimates were published the week before last and the main programmes for Departments were outlined in great detail in them. People talk as if the budget is the only source of finance for what is to happen. The budget must be taken in conjunction with the Estimates and when one does so, they form a round package.

Social welfare falls to be attended to in the budget but there are also other matters in the budget remit. However, the Estimates are the main means by which finance is given to the various Departments. Nobody brought that up this evening and I am surprised it did not form the main point of debate.

Senator Ulick Burke raised a question in regard to REPS. I would also like the answer to that question because when I read the paragraph, it puzzled me a little. Is it for REPS 4 or for the existing REPS? We will get the answer to that because the officials are very busy looking things up and I know they will produce a reply for the Minister of State. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, for coming to the House. He will be here again tomorrow. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who was here earlier.

I was amazed when I heard Senator Quinn say he visualised at the outset of the Minister's Budget Statement a short-term and a long-term list and that as time went on, the short term one grew much longer than the long-term one. He asked about the planning and strategy. I remind the House that budgets and Estimates are announced yearly. One is given money for the year to run one's Department and subheads. Of course, one has aspirations for the long term.

There is the absurd question as to whether this is a budget for an election. Whether people like it or not, there will be a general election in May of next year, although the date has yet to be fixed. We are required by law to hold an election. Therefore, the question as to whether this is a budget for an election is nonsensical.

I wish to draw attention to a particular provision of this excellent budget. Purchasing a house for the first time is always a financial challenge and to support people in this regard the ceiling on mortgage interest relief is being doubled for first-time buyers for the first seven years of their mortgage, up to a limit of €8,000 for single purchasers and €16,000 for those married or widowed. The ceiling for non first-time buyers is also being increased, to €3,000 for single purchasers and to €6,000 for married couples. The cost of these provisions will amount to €70 million over a full year.

There has been much pious talk about first-time buyers, but this provision is a practical example of how they and others will be helped through mortgage interest relief. There has been mention of a grant for first-time buyers, but those grants go straight into the póca of the builder. The situation would be similar with regard to stamp duty, the money would go into the other póca of the builder, which would not be much use. It is buyers, single or married, men or women, who will benefit from the interest relief.

The social welfare reforms provided for will have significant benefit for those in need. Senator Ulick Burke spoke about the marginalised. I know many people who will benefit from the increases in social welfare. Senator John Paul Phelan said he welcomed the measures. How could he not welcome these excellent provisions for those in need? I particularly appreciate the increase in the fuel allowance. It was never meant to buy sufficient fuel for a week, but to provide help to people who have difficulty heating their homes, particularly in winter and early spring.

This is a very balanced budget and I applaud the Minister for Finance for it. One would be bedevilled by the economic reporters, the interviews with the Minister and the headlines day after day announcing what the budget would bring. Economists and those who write these reports and interview the Minister for Finance leave me cold. I am speaking as one who has mothered an economist, but I must put up with him. Anyway, he is brilliant, as every mother's child is brilliant.

Over the past few weeks the Minister has opened his newspapers every day to hear one person saying this and another that and he has been barraged continuously on the content of the budget. I watched him carefully today with his calm, midlands face delivering a sensible, down to earth budget. He knows what is needed in society and is able to deliver it because he has never lost the run of himself. Of course he is happy to be able to deliver this budget, as is the Taoiseach. I knew listening to him that there will be many other provisions for disadvantaged about which the Taoiseach will be delighted.

With regard to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley and mental ill-health in younger people, the Minister of State has apologised for what he said wrong. The debate will help focus minds on this acutely needed service for young people and will be worth while if it does that. It will be a good thing if the extra moneys provided can be put towards that area.

I applaud the budget and am delighted to be part of the legislative Chamber on its publication. I wish it God speed and the same to the myriad who will benefit from it.