Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am thinking of all of the doors I have knocked on in the past three to four years and the issues that have come up time and again. People care about their families, communities and those who need help most and they want to see this modern, progressive Government provide the services that people need.

Today has been a good day for that. Childcare fees will be cut by 25%. That is the beginning of it. Some €2,500 will be put back in the pockets of people in west Dublin who are paying €200 per week and might be paying €10,000 per year. This is a good day for families who have been desperately seeking publicly-funded IVF treatment. We are already moving from offering free contraception to 17- to 25-year-olds to offering it to 16- to 30-year-olds. Student fees will be cut by €1,000. Income tax changes will be made on the higher rate.

Help will be given to our local SMEs. We have been speaking to their owners on the phone and they are incredibly worried about their energy bills. Renters will receive a €500 tax credit for this year and last year and primary school children will receive free school books. An increase in special education classes should benefit 2,000 students. There will be a reduction in the teacher-pupil ratio, a double payment in child benefit in November and 1,000 new gardaí. This is a good day. I am sure as the day goes on, we will be able to pick holes in it but, right now, it is a good day for our cost-of-living budget.