David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is a welcome commitment and the House should follow up on it. I have no doubt the Minister will return to us next year with legislation in which she will be seeking to take further moneys from social welfare recipients. I want to take part in constructive and helpful discussions during which we might consider where savings can be made, not just in the area of social welfare but across the board. We should seek to discover those other areas in which revenue might be raised. It would be extremely worthwhile to have a debate on this matter.

I also welcome what the Minister said on Committee Stage with regard to ensuring that we invest in services and examining exactly how the money in the Department of Social Protection's Vote is spent. In the context of how we support children, carers and people with disabilities, I am of the view that service provision is as important as the financial supports on offer. I agree with a great deal of what the Minister said in this regard on Committee Stage. If she comes before the House early in the new year and takes part in genuine discussions in respect of this matter, it would make things a great deal better for everyone involved because we could all do our job as legislators.

It is regrettable that almost all of the amendments tabled in respect of Report Stage have been ruled out of order.