Martin Brady (Fianna Fail)

I propose to share time with Senator Walsh. I welcome the Minister. I welcome the improvements in the back to education allowance scheme, which allows jobseekers to return to education and maintain welfare payments. Senator McFadden referred to cuts. We would prefer if there were no cuts but one cannot give what one has not got. We must be upfront with people.

Senator McFadden also referred to pension funds, many of which are in trouble. I was involved in a pension fund and one of the main reasons they are in trouble is that pension funds are invested and once shares slip, pension funds slip. The Eircom pension fund and others are in trouble. People are left in the lurch but I do not have the answer to how we get around it. Senator McFadden's point is taken. Investments in property have dipped. The pension fund in Eircom is €6 million in debt. The problem is widespread.

Another element in the Bill concerns welfare fraud. I congratulate the Minister for tackling this, which was widespread, particularly in Border areas. Surveillance on that is ongoing and these measures in the Bill are positive.

I ask for clarification on the belief held by many people that immigrants get free hairdos, free mobile phones and cheques to buy cars from social welfare. People believe this and I hear it every day. I would like this cleared up. A garage man told me an immigrant had given him a cheque for €3,000 to buy a car. I assume that was arrears due but I ask the Minister to clarify so that I can speak with some authority on these matters.