Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I am correcting inaccuracies to give balance to the debate. I am sure all colleagues appreciate and welcome the fact that vulnerable children and low income families will be protected from the reductions in child benefit. The qualified child payment for those in receipt of social welfare payments will increase by €3.80 to €29.80 per week, a very welcome announcement. With regard to family income supplement, the weekly earnings thresholds have been increased by €6 per child to support working families on low incomes.

Nobody likes to see a reduction. As stated in the Chamber, the inflation rate was well exceeded by the Government in recent years. I hope that in the not too distant future the reduction of 4.1% from 1 January will be reversed. All sides of the House support everybody who needs to be supported, particularly those on lower incomes.