Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to amend the Order of Business as I would like to introduce No. 14 on the Order Paper - the Universities (Development and Innovation) (Amendment) Bill 2015. I also propose that Second Stage be taken on 28 January.

I wish to express concern about the poverty numbers issued by the Central Statistics Office yesterday. They indicate we have a major task ahead of us in the Parliament and as legislators. The figures show that the median disposable income has fallen from €20,000 to €17,000 since 2008. Figures by the European Anti-Poverty Network tell us that 31% of the population suffer from deprivation and that figure is up from 14% in 2008. The statistic is based on not being able to afford two or more items from a list of 11 basic items. Also, 37% of children suffer from deprivation, and that percentage is up from 18% in 2008. These figures show that we need to focus on the people who have been left behind, as the Taoiseach and Senator Norris have said.

In the evidence given to the Joint Committee on the Banking Inquiry by Governor Honohan, he stated that he felt he was too optimistic and that the bank guarantee and rescue, and the €40 billion net that was required for same, was visited substantially on low-income people. This House needs to address the matter. Perhaps we should have fewer universal benefits and more selective schemes for people who experience poverty. The number of people affected by poverty has been indicated to be rampant, and this is evidenced in the figures published by the Central Statistics Office yesterday.