Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Had we only to address a fiscal deficit we would have several difficult years ahead but our credit rating would not have been damaged in the way that has happened. We must work our way out of this and, therefore, difficult choices must be made in the context of the next budget. The issue is to target social welfare benefits and other arrangements such as the child benefit payments community welfare officers, CWOs, make to people who really need them to ensure the benefits are spent, especially on children in Ireland. We must ensure that children in receipt of benefits attend school and that their books are bought for them from the various allowances made available by the Department. We can save money in certain areas and make reforms. All of these are sensitive issues but I am heartened by the fact that so many Senators from across the Chamber seek change and we can discuss some of these in greater detail next week.