Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire go dtí an Seanad. As I said in this House earlier today, 34,000 jobs have been created over the past year. I am glad that job creation is the priority in this budget. This budget confirms the Government's commitment to job creation. I welcome the decision not to change the weekly fuel allowance rates. I am glad that no income tax or universal social charge increases are provided for in this budget. I am particularly pleased that the 9% VAT rate that applies to the tourism and hospitality sector is to be retained. As we are all aware, some 15,000 jobs have been created in this sector in the last two years. The retention of the 9% VAT rate will ensure further job increases in this sector.

The incentive of up to €4,000 for renovation and maintenance work is to be applauded. Many homeowners will welcome this initiative. The build your own business initiative to promote entrepreneurship and support SMEs, including those who encourage unemployed people with ideas to start their own business, is to be applauded.

In respect of the award of the national lottery licence for a figure in excess of €400 million, I welcome the announcement that €200 million of this dividend will be ring-fenced to ensure the construction of the long-awaited national children's hospital and that a further €200 million in capital spending arising from the balance of the proceeds will be used to support local economic activity and job creation. A sum of €200 million will be invested in 2014 and will include the continuation of a new round of sports capital grants. As we all know, many clubs, sporting organisations and communities throughout this island have benefited from these grants in recent years, which have improved sports facilities and dressing rooms for the benefit of all.

I welcome the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with disabilities. This wonderful initiative will help to revitalise the building industry. I note that €10 million will be provided for an unfinished housing estate resolution initiative and this is to be welcomed in every county with unfinished estates.

As I stated earlier, job creation is and will continue to be the top priority for this Government. I am glad to state and others have referred to the fact that the unemployment rate is now down from 15.1% last year to 13.3% this year. This Government will continue to invest in the people who through no fault of their own find themselves out of work. We are continuing on the right road. Táimid ar an mbóthar ceart gan dabht ar bith.