Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned that, in light of comments made in the House this morning, we seem to be going back to the blank cheque attitude regarding budgets. It is important to remind people of where we have come from. Between October 2008 and December 2010 some €12.5 billion was taken out of the budget because the money was not there and an extra €3.8 billion was imposed on taxpayers in this country. This budget is balanced, reasonable and fair but this is not what occurred between 2002 and 2008 when there was an increase of over 12% in spending. We have kept it to 3.4%, which is below the estimated economic growth, and that is the way we have to keep it because we do not have blank cheques.

I am concerned about third level students who, for economic reasons or because they need to repeat exams, take a year out or work during a year to finance themselves while studying. When they go back to college they find their income for the gap year is taken into account in assessing their grants. It is unfair to penalise them for taking a year out and working during that year and the issue needs to be taken up with the Minister for Education and Skills. We need to see how we can deal with it because it is unfair and wrong. It is an important issue for third level students at the moment.

I agree with Senator Craughwell that moneys be set aside for councillors who are providing a huge amount of time on a voluntary basis and who need to be adequately provided for by way of expenses and allowances. It is important this issue is resolved soon and not prolonged into 2018.