Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Consumer prices are back to February 2007 levels, yet after the 2010 budget, the lowest weekly rate of payment for those aged between 25 and 66 will be €10 higher than in 2007. Even after the budget changes, therefore, we will achieve the commitment in the national action plan against poverty to maintain the real value of the lowest social welfare rate in 2007 terms.

We have also been conscious of the need to avoid disincentives for people to move from welfare to work. Currently, when basic welfare rates and secondary benefits such as the rent and mortgage interest supplements are taken into account, some families are financially better off on welfare than in low income employment. Long-term dependency on welfare is not good for these parents or their children. The changes in welfare rates will address these disincentives. There will also be a reduction to €150 per week in the rate of jobseeker's allowance and supplementary welfare allowance payable to people who have unreasonably refused offers of training or education.

I understand the particular challenges that people with disabilities face in their daily lives and the sacrifices that family carers make to look after their loved ones and I appreciate that reductions in payments will be difficult for them.