Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Will the Government commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government be met, given the modest increases mentioned today? Will the Minister of State guarantee this commitment or will there be another roll-back of Government policy?

Why does the St. Vincent de Paul state it is very concerned about the modest increases in the adult social welfare rate? Welfare payments will fall below 30% of the average industrial wage. I wonder do people, particularly those in Government, keep forgetting the cost of food, rent and education has increased significantly, yet this has not been mirrored in this Social Welfare Bill.