Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The €50 million allocated in respect of road maintenance will obviously help create employment and stop further deterioration of roads throughout the country.

The incentive relating to the renovation and maintenance of homes is wonderful. The Minister has taken this initiative as a result of prompts he received from many Members of this House. The economy will never return to stability until there is a certain level of activity in the construction sector. The initiative to which I refer will encourage many homeowners to carry out improvements. It will also create a significant level of employment for tax compliant builders and tradesmen and allow legitimate operators to compete. I hope this will lead to the shadow economy being taken out as a result. The Minister's initiative will create an opportunity for tradesmen such as carpenters, blocklayers, plasterers, etc., to come together and pool their resources and operate successful businesses. Some people who emigrated in recent times may return to Ireland as a result of this initiative. I am informed that there is a scarcity of tradespeople in the building sector at present. I am aware of one or two individuals who have indicated that they may return from Australia in order to avail of possible opportunities in the construction sector.

I welcome the Living City initiative, which is being extended to all properties built prior to 1913. This initiative is being extended to my home county, Galway. I also welcome the Build Your Business initiative, which is designed to promote entrepreneurship and support SMEs. I particularly welcome the two-year income tax exemption for long-term unemployed people who start their own businesses. Some of those in the construction sector will slot nicely into this initiative. The increase in the VAT receipt threshold to €2 million will be of benefit, as will the improvements to the research and development tax credit.

There are some good initiatives in the budget in the context of creating employment. The budget also strikes a balance and I welcome the fact that headline social welfare payments and pensions are being protected for the third consecutive year. There will be no cuts to child benefit this year and I welcome the introduction of free GP care for those under five years of age. Families that are under pressure to pay medical expenses and bills will welcome the latter. I also welcome the fact that there will be no change to the fuel allowance. In addition, there will be no increase in income tax or the universal social charge, USC, for people at work. I welcome the additional €20 million being allocated in respect of mental health services.