Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Fianna Fáil Party spokesperson on social protection has outlined our point of view. I spoke on Second Stage yesterday. The 20% cut in respite care is a significant cut, and one would be hard put to find another cut of that magnitude in the budget. Some 77,000 families receive this payment. I further remind colleagues that this is the only payment some 5,000 families receive. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, said that one could stay in a fine hotel for ¤700 a week and get a break. That is an outrageous comment. I have met both carers and those who are cared for and the Minister and I know what the money is used for. I believe the Minister knows that this proposed cut is wrong. The Government has made a mistake. Nobody is right all the time. Since the announcement of the proposed cuts I have spoken to many people. People have different views on child benefit, some think it should be taxed, others think it should be means tested, while another group think it should be a universal payment. However, I have met nobody, neither a member of the general public nor a constituent, and certainly none of the Minister's constituents in Dublin West, who agree that the respite care grant should be cut by 20%. These are some of the most vulnerable people in the country. If one tried to pick a cohort of people, one would be hard pressed to find a more vulnerable group. I have met nobody who has told me this cut is correct. I do not believe the Minister thinks it is right. I do not think any of the Senators on the Government side believe this cut is right. I may be convinced further down the line on things that may happen to child benefit and I am open to it. I welcomed the Minister's suggestion yesterday of publishing the report on child benefit and discussing it in the Chamber. Mr. Paddy Doyle is in the Visitor's Gallery and I met him and his friends. They will tell the Minister what the respite care grant means to them. I will not listen to people who apologise for breaking an election promise.

Saying sorry for breaking that election promise and voting for the Bill at the same time will not reinstate the ¤325 cut. Let us be straight about the role of this House. I have served in both Houses. I have regard for every Member of this House, but we should not be threatened by the fact that it will cost the Department of Social Protection ¤124 million extra if we do what the Constitution states we should do. We are not asking Members to bring down the Government or defeat the Bill but to deal with the cut to the respite care grant. That is the reason I implore colleagues to reject this section and return it to Dáil Éireann. We should respectfully state the Members have got it wrong and that ¤26 million can be raised in another way. Imposing an additional 3% on those earning more than ¤100,000 would raise ¤200 million. Where is the fairness? The Department has made a mistake; let the Seanad rectify it and show its courage and true value.