Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Feargal Quinn, I have been present throughout the debate and listened carefully. I agree with him that we have had an instructive and informative debate, with some passionate and thought-provoking contributions. I agree with Senator Paul Bradford on the need for advance notice of measures. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and recently we learned about the Finnish system under which committees have a certain budget. For example, for a period of months the social protection committee will debate, on a cross-party basis, where cuts and savings can be made and where money should be spent. That model is infinitely more preferable to the one we have inherited and kept by virtue of tradition. I hope we will examine the system next year and introduce something closer to the Finnish model under which debate takes place in advance of the announcement of measures and legislation.

Other colleagues have mentioned where savings can be made. Senator John Crown, in particular, raised the issue of subsidies for the greyhound and horse sectors. I agree with him and have raised the issue in the past.

Yesterday the Minister stated she wished she did not have to make cuts to social welfare payments. She pointed out that nobody ever wanted to cut social welfare payments for its own sake. Everyone, on both sides of the House, will agree that she has been a champion for the social protection budget. She has had the remarkable achievement of securing an extra ¤150 million this year. She has also managed to preserve the basic rates of social welfare, including the weekly carer's and domiciliary care allowance payments. These achievements are a testament to her work. It is also important to note that she has managed to secure funding for 10,000 additional job activation places and ¤30 million for 6,000 child care places for the children of low income families and school meals in disadvantaged communities. We must acknowledge her work and that it is a balancing act.

With regard to section 5, we regret that the cut must be made. Senator Feargal Quinn has said it will be six months before the cut takes effect. There are constructive things we can to do ameliorate its impact. All of us respect and acknowledge the enormous work done by carers. As Senator Aideen Hayden has pointed out, the Government has spent more on carers than any other Government. The cost this year is ¤775 million. It is important to note how much the work of carers is valued. We can, therefore, examine ways to ameliorate the impact of the cut. Last week in this House I pointed out that many carers were concerned about the provision of respite care places. There are huge gaps in provision in areas such as south Dublin and Dún Laoghaire. It is a real issue for carers across the country. The Minister has agreed to carry out an interdepartmental survey, encompassing the HSE and her Department, early in the new year to identify where the gaps are in the provision of respite care places.

As Senator Moloney said in the debate last night, that would be an important measure to undertake and I very much hope we will see that early in the new year. Also, Senator Moloney's suggestion that organisations providing support and respite services to families be invited to make application for some of the additional 10,000 job activation measures could serve in a practical way to address the needs of carers in securing respite places. The Seanad must examine in a constructive way how best to tackle the difficulties faced by carers and how to address some of the real issues that arise in practice for carers. That is hugely important and I look forward to further debates in this House on that issue and on reform of child benefit that the Minister promised us also.