Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to begin by thanking the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, for his efforts since the formation of the Government. We are facing one of the greatest challenges in the history of the State and along with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, the Minister delivered a budget yesterday that invests in the resilience of the Irish people, Irish businesses and the entire society to come through this challenge and emerge stronger, as we have done with so many challenges in the past.

The labour market supports implemented yesterday are the most extensive in the history of the State, as they needed to be, given current circumstances. The extension of the PUP and the employment wage subsidy scheme were necessary as a crucial support. The allocation of €200 million for training, skills development, work placement schemes, recruitment subsidies and job search measures is especially welcome.

The elderly have been most impacted by Covid-19 in health and in their lifestyles. Covid-19 has also had a huge impact on young people and youth unemployment is a serious concern. The budget outlines how young people will be supported, with 10,000 upskilling opportunities and 4,000 new apprenticeships being provided for under the apprenticeship scheme.

I come from the hospitality sector, as the Minister is aware, and I know the budget was especially well received in that industry. The hospitality sector provides 180,000 jobs across the country, the vast majority of which are outside Dublin and they are vital for town and regional economies across the country. As we know, all of the hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit by Covid-19. The measures outlined yesterday provide a lifeline for businesses in the sector and represent a path forward. This sector has seen off challenges in the past and I have no doubt it will overcome this challenge, following the supports outlined yesterday.

I also want to welcome the increased funding in education. "Trust the youth and they will deliver" goes the old Irish saying. This budget has placed confidence in our young people, recognising that enhancing investment in this area will always benefit the country in the long term. As we all know, education was a huge issue in the last general election. Our class sizes were too big and the pupil-teacher ratio must be lowered in line with EU averages. The additional more than 500 teachers being hired for next year's school year is an important first step and I have no doubt it will be a priority over the term of this Government. As Fianna Fáil will ensure, our commitments in this area to reduce class sizes can be honoured. The recruitment of almost 1,000 additional special needs assistants is a measure which will have a positive impact. Knowing people who work in this area, it is crucial that we enhance supports and yesterday was a massive step in the right direction. The increased funding for higher education is also an investment that will pay dividends in our future. The standard of education in the country has always been a crucial element of why Ireland attracts so much foreign direct investment. Fianna Fáil in government has always sought to raise the standard of education in this country, the best known example being former Minister, Donogh O'Malley, and former Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, making the decision to make second level education free. I am delighted this Government will continue that trend.

I welcome the additional funding for 620 new Garda recruits and of an additional 500 administrative staff in budget 2021. We need more gardaí in Galway and the Garda plays a vital role in our communities. There is huge demand for additional gardaí, as I alluded to, in Galway city and Galway county, where the resources are stretched. I look forward to Garda numbers increasing in Galway when I raise that matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality.

I note the commitment of €500 million for the shared island unit, which is positive. This is an area where outreach across communities is required and where we need thoughtful consideration and study of what type of country a 32-county Ireland will be and of how that can be advanced in a peaceful and united method that will seek to convince all on the island that a united Ireland is best for their futures. I am conscious of the time constraints so I will not discuss social protection measures except to simply say that they are all very welcome, in particular the increase in the carer's support grant. There are no words strong enough to adequately commend the role played by the thousands of carers in this country. We must enhance supports for them in the coming years.

Yesterday, the Minister stated that our medium-term approach to public expenditure must be sustainable and that he would develop a framework to ensure that. I ask him to tell us more about the timeline and process involved in that.