Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

The decision to cut their weekly payment from €209 to €201.50 as we approach Christmas, an especially difficult time for those who have been bereaved, is a kick in the teeth to widows.

The decision to cut the payment to blind and visually impaired people is equally callous. Those affected must modify their homes and try to adapt their lives to cope with their disability. They need various expensive aids and equipment such as modified televisions and computers.

The national disability strategy is an excellent document. It was an agreed programme with the Government and proposed to end discrimination and exclusion for blind people so that they could play a full part in society. This cut represents a downright reversal of that pledge and it is shameful.

Regarding rent supplement, we agree that people should not become dependent on social welfare. However, how can they pay their bills? The Minister says that rents are reducing but that is not the case in my area. Rents have come down somewhat but not to a significant extent. The rental accommodation scheme is very good. People must be on rental allowance for 18 months before they can avail of the rental accommodation scheme but the point must be further emphasised.

I already referred to the carbon tax, which is a case of the Green Party doing its green, huggy-huggy thing. The honest to goodness poor old pensioner must pay extra because old people feel the cold more.

I refer to section 15, the habitual residence clause. This has come up time and again at meetings of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs. I welcome this section but I must pose a number of questions to the Minister. The appeals officer has said that some people had applied for asylum and were eligible under the five criteria for entitlement to child benefit, of which the Minister is aware. How many of these cases are in the system and how many have yet to be decided on? Do they refer to those who initially applied and how many are in the appeals system? Will the legislation be retrospective? What is the potential for schemes apart from child benefit? Does this amendment only apply to new applications for social welfare from asylum seekers?

I must comment on the delays in processing applications for asylum and leave to remain. Each person is entitled to €19.10 while waiting for an asylum application to be processed. Some people have been waiting for years and they are living in desperate situations. The centre in Athlone is appalling, as is the fact that some are living in a mobile home waiting with uncertainty for so long before the claim is processed. This is costing the State an extraordinary amount of money. In 2009, the Department spent €50,000 per day keeping these people. The original projection was €40,000 per day.

I am completely disappointed by this budget. To quote Fr. Sean Healy it is "breathtakingly unjust". He is a measured man, a decent person with good values and he cares about people. I thought I was part of an Oireachtas that cared about people but I wish to disassociate myself completely and utterly from the callous, cold budget.