Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

In the context of how the business of the House is organised, taking all Stages of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill is unacceptable. The Second Stage debate should take place and Members should then be given an opportunity to consider the important issues contemplated in the Bill, particularly in light of the report published by the ESRI this morning, before tabling amendments.

I spoke yesterday about the need for a Government strategy to increase our competitiveness and for a debate on job protection, job creation and retraining. In light of the ESRI report that was published this morning, we need a debate because the implications of the current situation are very serious for every man, woman and child in the country.

The appalling mismanagement by the current Taoiseach when he was Minister for Finance has left no room for a stimulus package so the Government is trying to tax its way out of the recession, offering little scope to employers, as the ESRI report states. Our jobless figure will reach 500,000 by the end of next year, affecting every family in the country, with 300,000 jobs being lost before the end of next year. The rate of unemployment will average 17%, with living standards falling by 15% in comparison to 2007. Economic output will shrink by 10% this year and an additional €1.3 billion of tax receipts will be lost this year.

We must face up to the fact that national mismanagement has put us in a position where we have no flexibility. There has been no apology from the Taoiseach. He presided over this as Minister for Finance and is now presiding over it as Taoiseach. The people are looking for a plan that will offer some hope, a plan for training and education and that must be communicated. Where is the plan to help the thousands of people signing on the dole? It must come from the Government. What will happen to those claiming social welfare? We must give them some hope and reach out with a proper training programme that is designed to match the future needs of the economy. Proper training must be put in place to give people hope. We should be debating these issues today.