Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Chairman is never slack in doing so.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to the House. It is good to welcome him here today for the 2016 family-friendly budget. We have had many a tough time here in this and the other House where we had to introduce budgets that none of us really felt comfortable doing. It was a significant challenge to us, both on the social and economic fronts, to have to do that. It is a good and, indeed, a joyous occasion to be here when we can put money back into people's pockets. After four budgets which were crucial to regaining economic stability in the country, we are now in a strong enough position to invest again in our social services and support the developing fortunes of our nation's working people.

Throughout the life of this Government, many Members have stood and proposed alternative economic approaches in this House but it is obvious from the economics of today that the Fine Gael Party and Labour Party approach to managing our finances has paid off. The budget deficit has been reduced from 12.5% to 2.1%. Unemployment is down from over 15% to 9.4%. We enjoy the highest level of economic growth in the OECD. As a country coming from where we were, that is something of which to be proud. Sustainability is the key to progress and, as Senator Cummins stated earlier, stability in Government is key to forward growth for this country.

I will not have time to mention all the positive measures that I would like to comment on in this budget but there are elements that I have been working on for over 20 years. I wholeheartedly welcome the preschool and early childhood education programme. The education and welfare of our children is a top priority for all in the country and all of the Departments. I welcome the budget increase in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs allocation of €1.1 billion. Children will be eligible for free preschool from the age of three to five and a half years - until they go to school. We know the benefit of early childhood education. It is good for the country, it is good for the child and it is good for the family. More women back to work is good for the family and work life as a whole. Indeed, it is a better package where all children will be able to afford to go to preschool. Not too long ago, even five or ten years ago, only the children of the rich could go.

I wholeheartedly welcome €15 million extra for preschool for those with special needs. That amounts to €33 million in a whole year for the special needs programme to ensure that children with special needs, who could not participate because there was not really any support for preschool teachers in that regard, can do so in early childhood education. We have provided an increase in the preschool capitation grant. Hopefully, this will enable better wages to be paid to those working in preschool as well.

The two weeks' paternity leave sets a precedent on how families are understood in this country. Gone are the days of the marriage bar. The future looks more equal for all the family, both men and women.

Some €3 million is provided for after-school services for 8,000 places in community child care settings and private child care providers will be able to look to provide some of those as well. I note the roll-out of free GP care to children under 12, the 2,260 new teaching posts, and a reduction in the student-teacher ratio. I hope Senator MacSharry, who is gone, is listening.