Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the calls for a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, on medical cards. It beggars believe that there could be such inaccuracies in the system. Unfortunately, however, these inaccuracies are indicative of the difficulties which arise in the context of schemes operated by the State. In many instances, benefits and allowances continue to be paid long after people have exited the system. I look forward to a time when some of the cuts that have been made in recent years can be reversed. However, this will only happen if the economy grows and if we create sufficient numbers of jobs. We have made a good start in this regard in the three most recent budgets. We must not forget the position from which we started out two years ago. The Government has brought the country back from the verge of bankruptcy. When it came to power in 2011, some 7,000 jobs were being lost each week. People cannot be allowed to forget this fact when they call for all sorts of things to happen now and which are just not possible to achieve in light of what we have been obliged to do to clean up the financial mess we inherited.

One good measure contained in the budget - and to which reference has not been made since its introduction - relates to the area of justice. I refer to the fact that the number of gardaí will be maintained at 13,000 and that €9 million is to be made available in respect of the force's fleet of vehicles. Some €5 million of the latter will be spent this year. It was also announced in the budget that Garda recruitment will recommence in 2014, that €26 million will be made available for prison refurbishment and the construction of a new prison in Cork and that the allowance paid to members of the Garda reserve will be exempt from tax. These are significant issues which must be highlighted. These are tough times and the Government has been obliged to make some difficult decisions.