Alan Kelly (Labour)

It has been increased by one week — gee whiz. The increases in social welfare benefits are €12 per week instead of the recommended €20 per week. Child benefit only goes up by €6 which will be below inflation. If pensions are to rise to €300, they needed an increase of €14 per week. There has been no change in medical card status as well as in the dependant spouse pension and mobility allowance.

Vision was necessary for the preschool education area. The child-minding cap of €15,000 remains, which is unacceptable. There has been no movement on stock relief or installation aid for farmers. The recruitment of extra teachers seems to be behind schedule. The spending on health care raises serious concerns, particularly from the point of view of cancer services.

I agree with the capital investment programme at many levels but I am concerned at funding for training programmes. I welcome the small and medium enterprises incentives. There has been no reform to public and Civil Service pension areas which would allow for decentralisation. I presume decentralisation has not been mentioned in the budget because its progress levels are minimal.

I am concerned the new proposals for research and development incentives will be more complex. This was also a time to examine risk investments in IT areas. I am concerned there is no investment for new generation networks for broadband. Tourism did not receive any mention. There is no package for the mid-west despite the Government's representative claiming €55 million will be earmarked for the region. Whether it is open skies or the Aer Lingus pull-out, there has been no movement on Shannon Airport. There was no exemption from VAT charges for schools and hospitals when purchasing certain goods such as computers.

This budget has been framed as a green budget with €15 million going on environmental measures. With the Green Party in Government, that is an hilarious figure.