Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister back to the House and thank her for being here.

This section refers to jobseeker's benefit, carer's benefit and disabled people's benefits, all of which are being cut by 4.1%. The Minister has said people are still benefiting from increases in social welfare, but I dispute this. The people I have met have told me that they are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. I spoke about carers, in particular, yesterday. They are the only recipients of a benefit who work for it and stand to lose €8.80 a week. That is a large amount of money to lose, having regard to the many hours of care they provide for their loved ones, saving the State a great deal of money in the process.

I will not rehash everything that was said yesterday, but I cannot possibly agree to this section. I appreciate the Minister is trying to do her best to save money and that matters have been difficult, as she has explained. Some of the statements on this issue by groups involved in the disability sector are heart-rending. Inclusion Ireland has spoken about the rhetoric used. The people who will lose their disability allowance will also lose optical benefits, dental benefits and child benefit and have to pay prescription charges. This is the most vulnerable sector. Is the national disability strategy just paying lip service to it? Is it genuine or merely aspirational, if the Government can hit a vulnerable minority group such as this in such a way? I do not believe the provision is about protecting them. I am dismayed by this and the provision affecting carers.

This section also deals with jobseeker's allowance. It has been said this is an emigration budget for 20 and 21 year olds, given that their rate of benefit is being cut by 50%. The Minister has allocated €48 million to FÁS to fund short courses. Given that this organisation has fallen into such disrepute, I wonder if that allocation is wise. I abhor the cuts to the Youthreach programme and schemes such as the vocational training opportunities scheme. Student grants are also being cut. The small print of the budget is shocking. I am, therefore, utterly opposed to this section.