Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In rent pressure zones, there can be a specific increase that is specifically limited to the figures in the zones. Obviously, when there is change of tenancies, that is a different situation. The next issue was mentioned by several Senators. Again, I will repeat the phrase that there was an element of truth in what they said, but it was not the full truth - one Senator gave the full truth - regarding some of the people on social protection, that the €12 increase they will be getting is totally unsatisfactory. It has been made very clear today. To take a simple, typical example of somebody on social welfare, for example, a single pensioner living alone and in receipt of a fuel allowance, that person will receive an additional €2,375 between now and the end of next year. That is €45 a week; it is not €12 a week. The €12 a week is one little bit of what is being done. Those people will have the fuel allowance, which is an extra payment of €400, the living alone allowance of €200, the energy credit of €600, and the extra double week in addition to the Christmas bonus, which was always there. That person, who people in the House have said will only get €12 a week, but it is €12 a week on one particular aspect of all the increases we are giving, will get a €45 a week increase – not €12. It is important people get the full, rounded picture of what is happening and it is important we give the full, rounded picture on that.

The free book scheme was mentioned, as well as the extra Garda recruits, which are very helpful. Templemore will be able to process those on an ongoing basis. There will be a new recruitment procedure for the Garda shortly.

Again, people said there were targeted measures and universal measures, which is correct. The childcare cost changes were welcomed by many in the House, as was the fact more people are getting the fuel allowance. The social welfare increases, as I just mentioned, were not just the €12 that I highlighted. A number of people welcomed the reduction in the VAT rate of 9% for newspapers as well.