Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Despite your comments, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, as I will not be here to comment on the budget later, I will touch slightly on it. My entire contribution on the Order of Business will not be on the budget. Today, I rise to reflect on parts of the budget. Like last year, the influence Fianna Fáil had on the budget has ensured that it is more progressive and supported those who need support from the State, with increases in allowances for those in receipt of social welfare by more than €5 per week. Although it is modest, the budget went some way to reflect our 2:1 spend on services versus tax cuts. That was the cornerstone of our confidence and supply agreement.

I wish to mention the Indecon report published by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is of very significant concern how we are treating lone parents. The report, which was commissioned by the Department, was published today and highlighted what we have been saying consistently since 2012, namely, that unless the changes in the one-parent family payment over the five years are accompanied by further increases in employment reforms, the objective of reducing poverty will not be met. I note that today's budget goes some way towards increasing the income thresholds for those in receipt of the one-parent family supplement, the jobseeker's transitional payment and the family income support but I do not believe it goes far enough. The report also notes that while 52% of families involved in the transition did not suffer any loss of income, 48% suffered a loss. As a country we pride ourselves on looking after those who are most disadvantaged to ensure we all have a decent standard of living and way of life. We should not change that mentality. I call on the Minister to address the House to outline her plans for further reform.

The second matter I wish to raise relates to housing. I note in the budget certain measures to increase spending on housing have been proffered by the Minister. The affordable housing scheme was announced as part of budget 2016. It was modelled on the co-op scheme in Ballymun where the council gave its land at a reduced price and more affordable houses were able to be built for as little as €140,000. However, two years on we still do not have full details of the scheme. I expected details of the scheme to be in today's budget but they were not forthcoming. I welcome the Minister's announcement on the introduction of high-rise developments in the city centre, however, I am not sold on the idea of communal living-type housing. I do not think that kind of arrangement is sustainable in the long term. I am pleased the Minister has acknowledged that the repair and leasing scheme has not worked. Ultimately, when we discuss housing we know the devil is in the detail. To date, we have seen millions of euro being proffered to address the housing crisis but we really need to see schemes implemented. Tonight, more than 8,000 people are living in emergency accommodation and we have seen little or no movement in social housing lists to date. I ask that the Minister comes to the House to address the detail of the affordable housing scheme and perhaps give us timelines for when the houses will be built. All we hear is that so many billions of euro are being pumped into local authorities but we have not seen one sod turned, or at least I have not seen any sods turned in my constituency.