Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to begin by reading a few lines from a speech given in 1941 to the Congress in the United States by Franklin Roosevelt:

There is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are equality of opportunity for youth and for others. Jobs for those who can work. Security for those who need it. The ending of special privilege for the few. The preservation of civil liberties for all. The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a rising standard of living.

Those words were true in 1941 and are true today yet we are discussing a Social Welfare Bill which contains a fundamental cut affecting the less privileged in society, those who are disabled and those who are elderly and vulnerable. The cut equates to approximately ¤26 million. There are 22 top bankers receiving salaries of over ¤500,000 each, which amounts to close to ¤15 million. There are 88 retired bankers on pensions of over ¤100,000 each. When those figures are added together they amount to the cut in the respite care grant. That brings home Roosevelt?s words but the privileged appear to be protected and are not affected by cuts in the budget or any action on the part of the Government. On the other hand, the most vulnerable are being attacked.

The cut in the respite care grant was a step too far, affecting people who are voiceless and unable to defend themselves. The small saving of ¤26 million should be reconsidered. There are very good Senators in the Government parties, and I hope that they will use the amendments which Fianna Fáil and others will bring forward over the next few days to reflect on their consciences and vote according to what they believe is right, based on the words of Roosevelt and others since he made that speech in 1941.

I have done a simple sum, based on a rural family in which the husband receives a farm income of approximately ¤15,000 and farm assist, there is a disabled child who receives the respite care grant and the mother receives a carer?s allowance. They will be penalised to the tune of ¤3,061 by this budget because the farm assist payment will be reduced by at least ¤47.50 a week, child benefit, if they have two children, by ¤240 a month, and the cuts in the respite care grant will amount to ¤325 annually. If their overall household income is in the region of ¤29,000 they will be subject to a cut of approximately 10.5% in their overall household income. That is a regressive budget. No one could support that.