Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously I am disappointed, given that I have been here since 5.15 p.m. Some things in the budget are welcome, while I am disappointed about others. It is good to see a move on the USC to bring taxation under 50%, but it is still a major tax. There has been no move on the pension levy for PAYE workers, which is appalling. There is a move for the self-employed but not for PAYE workers. I know a young nurse who pays €108 every two weeks in a pension levy, yet only €8 into her own pension.

I am glad to see a freeze on the local property tax, which is essential given the management charges some people are paying. The Minister for Finance said that on average a person will gain one week's pay. That was his assessment, but is that a gross or net weekly figure? It is poor that a person on €35,000 per year will only gain €57 per month, whereas a couple on €105,000, which is three times that income, will gain more than three times the benefit. Why is the gain not proportionate?

It is really disappointing that the telephone allowance has not been restored for older people and those with disabilities. They feel insecure due to rural crime and because the mobile network is unreliable.

Child care allowances are not so good for all families. I welcome early childhood investment and have produced a report on it. However, the allowances will not reduce costs for parents with young children. The early childhood care year allowance is only for three hours per day. What parent works for only three hours a day? If we want to relieve the cost on families we should cover the eight-hour day, so the provision is not great.

The situation is appalling for third level students because there is no move on the €3,000 student contribution charge, while the rental sector is out of control. There is nothing in the budget for families with children in third level education because the Minister has not touched those sectors.

I welcome the provision for extra teachers, but is there something in there for career guidance teachers? Can a teacher be appointed as a career guidance counsellor within that measure?

The Minister is giving the health sector the same €13 billion, but there is nothing in the budget about outcomes, reducing waiting lists or the elective lists.

When will one new extra house be built for the homeless? How long will the modular programme houses last and who will get that contract? If NAMA is to be a new housing agency, that is fair enough, but I presume we will need new legislation to differentiate the roles in that regard.

I was hoping for a little imagination concerning carbon emissions. We are in danger of not meeting our carbon emissions targets by 2020. We have an excellent opportunity to offer some tax incentives to corporations to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in public transport. We need better public transport in Galway city and rural areas.