Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not think we need pension pots of ¤1.2 million anymore. The State cannot afford it. I would be worried about the Government's growth projections for the future. I think hauliers should be happy with the diesel rebate.

We should be straight about the fact that the property tax will crucify Dublin and other urban areas. It was a plank of Labour Party policy that there was to be no decrease in child benefit, but it has rolled over like an old dog that allows its master do whatever he wants by agreeing to a ¤10 decrease in the monthly payment. Fine Gael has rubbed the Labour Party on the belly by agreeing to a mansion tax that will bring in approximately ¤15 million, according to figures I have worked out on the basis of the number of properties I believe to be worth over ¤1 million. I am worried about the property tax.

It is not too late for the Government to have a look at the cut in the back to school allowance, especially in light of the savings to be made. When the ¤10 decrease in child benefit is taken with the ¤50 decrease in this allowance, it is clear that the squeezed middle will be hit in a regressive way. The increase in the third level registration fee and the increase of 3% in the income threshold at which students are eligible for grants will also affect the squeezed middle.

The respite grant is to be cut from ¤1,700 to ¤1,375. I heard the Minister, Deputy Howlin, saying the Government was going to protect all basic social welfare payments. In the next breath, he announced a cut of 25% in jobseeker's benefit, in effect, when he said it will be paid for nine months rather than 12 months. People would have preferred a ¤5 cut across the board as long as they continued to receive it for a further three months.

I agree with Senator Norris that we need to have a full and proper debate on today's announcements. I will speak to the Leader of the House about it tomorrow. The Minister of State has been good enough to attend our debates on a regular basis. After we have looked through the small print of today's budget, we should have a proper and reasoned debate on it. I will ask my colleagues on the Government side of the House to support the call for time to be provided next week for a reasoned debate.