Seanad debates

Tuesday, 12 October 2021

12:00 pm

Photo of Garret AhearnGarret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad. The Chamber is full of representatives of the Government but there are no Opposition Senators present. If there is anything telling about today's announcement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, it is that no Opposition Senator has been here since before I arrived to make a contribution. Budget day is the most significant day of the year, yet I have a choice of all of the seats on the Opposition side. That is telling in terms of the response to today's announcements.

The budget is welcome. I am sure people will recognise that the budget supports families, communities and businesses and recognises the challenges we have faced over the last 18 months. We could talk about many issues but I will focus on a couple of significant announcements made today. As someone who hails from Tipperary, I welcome the announcement of extra funding for law and order and the Department of Justice. Next year, there will be 800 new gardaí which will increase Garda strength to 14,600. The programme for Government committed to having a Garda force of 15,000 by the end of the Government's term. The extra 800 gardaí will mean we will be close to hitting that target by the end of 2022, which is significant.

I welcome the continuation of the first-time buyer's grant. The scheme has benefited people throughout this country. Many people in Tipperary, including friends of mine, have benefited from the first-time buyer's grant to build their own homes. I do not understand how some parties in this House do not see the benefit of giving people the opportunity to build or buy their own homes. Certain parties talk about giving a month's rent to somebody. The Government is trying to get people a house to own, not one month's rent. We want to give people the opportunity to buy and build their own home and live in rural Ireland if they so choose. That is the statement being made by this Government with the scheme. More than 26,000 people have built houses using the first-time buyer's grant. How does Sinn Féin expect people to save money if we do not help people by providing a first-time buyer's grant? I welcome the continuation of the scheme.

The Government will invest €716 million in childcare. I have a young child and understanding the costs and implications that having a child has on parents is new to me. This funding shows that the Government will tackle childcare, both by supporting parents with the cost of childcare and supporting childcare providers to provide a service and pay their staff what they deserve. The service provided by childcare providers is top-notch. My child goes to the Play and Learn crèche in Clonmel, County Tipperary, which provides a top-quality service. Childcare providers need the support of the Government and today's budget shows the priority we will attach to childcare in the coming years, which is welcome.

It is important to acknowledge carers and the supports we have announced for them. For the first time since 2008, the income threshold for carers has been raised. The income disregard for carer's allowance will increase from €332.50 to €350 per week for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple. Family carers have called for an increase for a long time. Fine Gael Senators met Catherine Cox from Family Carers Ireland and Councillor Richie Molloy in Clonmel. One of their asks was to increase the income disregard. This increase will allow many people who did not qualify for carer's allowance until now to do so for the first time.

I appreciate the Acting Chairperson has been very lenient as regards time.

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