Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien, who is the leader of the Opposition, mentioned the social welfare Bill. On my way to the House I had been been informed that the Bill would be debated in the House in mid-November. However, I have now received a note that the Bill will be completed in the other House next week and that we are expected to complete it by the end of October. If that is the situation, it means that the House will sit during the week in which it was supposed to be in recess and during which the Dáil will be in recess. I must find out the exact position as I have only learned about this in the last few minutes.

Senator O'Brien also mentioned the €13.2 billion budget for health and called for a debate on the service plan once it is published. I will try to arrange such a debate.

Senators O'Brien, Coghlan and Wilson welcomed the pyrite remediation scheme that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is due to announce. I have asked the Minister to publish the legislation for the scheme as a Seanad Bill. As he is amenable to doing this, I hope the Bill will be introduced in early course.

Senators Bacik and MacSharry called for a debate on third level education and funding. I will request that from the Minister for Education and Skills. I note Senator Barrett's points in regard to Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill. I will see what we can do in that regard.

Senator Clune and others referred to the budget, and small businesses in particular. Members on this side of the House welcome the many measures introduced to support small businesses and create jobs, whereas Opposition Members claim there are no initiatives in this regard. A tax package of €500 million is being introduced, alongside 25 new measures to support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprise, and create jobs. All of us unreservedly welcome the retention of the 9% VAT rate on tourism and hospitality products, which also supports small and medium enterprises. We have been told that the reduced VAT rate has created 15,000 jobs and it will continue to create jobs in the future. The Senators opposite do not think this measure is aimed as protecting small businesses but I disagree with them. The air travel tax rate, which the previous Government introduced, is being reduced to zero. That will also support the tourism sector, which is important in terms of attracting finance to this country.