Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cutbacks hurt the old, the poor and the disabled. The House should remember it. This is what they are introducing here. We should be serious about jobs and honest about putting a value on work but this Bill and this budget do not do that. The Bill discriminates against people.

There is a 4% reduction across the board in social welfare. We hear the mantra about the cost of living coming down. Let us consider this claim. Since this budget, the cost of petrol, diesel and the carbon tax have risen. Utility bills under the leadership of this Government have risen. In particular, aside from the specials in the supermarkets, the cost of food and general shopping has not reduced. Despite this great mantra from some of the those on the far right who peddle the idea that the cost of living has come down, I do not accept it because I and the people I meet every day do not see it.

Senator Prendergast made reference in particular to elderly people coming to their doors. Almost every day in Cork South-Central I meet elderly and, increasingly, middle-aged people wearing coats and jumpers within their own homes.