Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Government has had to reactivate the social housing programme because of our economic difficulties. There are 90,000 people on social housing lists with 19,000 households in the Dublin area alone. It is welcome that the Government has prioritised this area of expenditure.

Senator Zappone raised a number of issues relating to services. We all share the frustration about the extensive cutbacks to services for the poor and the vulnerable. That is why I highlight the changes announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of public service reform. He announced the cessation of the Civil Service recruitment moratorium. Departments will have discretion over staffing levels within an overall pay framework, which is an important reform. The Minister also announced that additional teachers and gardaí would be recruited. A new plan for Civil Service renewal will also be published in the coming weeks.

The bottom line is we have come a long way.

Senator Zappone and I attended the Kennedy Summer School in Wexford, and when people were asked whether they believed the economy was improving, nearly everybody in the room put his or her hand up. However, when they were asked whether it was improving for them, only one person raised a hand. This budget is the first step in a very important departure towards a new Ireland.