Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the concerns expressed across the floor with regard to the Minister for Social Protection. While I agree with everything said by Senator Kelly, I would like him to take note that during the debate on social protection issues in recent weeks, I and others on this side of the House pointed out the considerable savings that have been made. The most recent report from the Department related to 2010 and showed almost €500,000 had been saved through the anti-fraud measures initiated by the previous Administration, particularly by the previous Minister Mary Hannifin and her successor, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. There is no diminution of the need on this side of the House to be reminded that the Department would continue to monitor anti-fraud measures and I welcome Senator Kelly's intervention in this regard.

There is growing concern not only about the remarks of the Minister, Deputy Burton, at the weekend which have been discussed by other Members of the House with whom I largely agree, but also about the question put repeatedly inside and outside the House on where the Government will find the money to fund essential services into 2012. If the Tánaiste has stated there will be no income tax increases, the Taoiseach has stated there will be no reduction in social welfare payments and the Croke Park agreement will continue to 2013 under its present arrangements whereby there will be no diminution of pay or status, in other words nobody will lose their jobs, the question remains as to from where the money will come for the essential services. Even as matters stand, Members on all sides are constantly complaining about them.

The comments of the Minister, Deputy Burton, at the weekend indicated a chink in the Government's thinking on this and that there are plans to reduce the social welfare budget irrespective of what the Tánaiste and Taoiseach stated. This is important for all of the people about whom Senator Cullinane spoke, namely, those who suffer from low esteem and who woke up this morning with no prospect of a job, in light of all of the commitments and promises made by the Government. Far be it from me this early in the mandate of the Government, to which everyone on this side of the House gave fair wind and continue to do so in the national interest, but there is a need for clarity and transparency to give these people some hope that the Government has some answers at least to improving their job prospects. It is important that the Minister for Social Protection come to the House for a debate in this regard.