Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the latest round of cost-of-living supports announced by the Government today, particularly its focus on supporting those most in need. It was absolutely correct that the measures which the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, had proposed around universal measures to apply over the winter proceeded and, indeed, a third round of €200 supports for everyone is to come in March and April.When looking at State funding, we need to prioritise winter over summer because it is in winter that people really need those universal supports. This package is unprecedented. It focuses on those who are most in need. There is an extra €100 child benefit payment, an additional €100 for the back-to-school clothing allowance and a move to extend the hot meals programmes to all DEIS schools initially and thereafter to all schools. These measures show the Government is prioritising those who need support the most.

An issue that has been brought to my attention and, no doubt, to others in the Seanad and the Dáil is that older persons are very concerned about costs. The measures being introduced will ensure older people living alone and pensioners will receive additional support, as will families with children, lone parents, low-income families, carers and those on disability payments.

The commentary on this issue has either made the case that there should be no universal payments whatsoever or, alternatively, that we should continue with universal payments. These measures strike a balance, recognising that everybody has been impacted but also that the most vulnerable need the greatest support. We in the Green Party warmly support the measures announced today. They show the collaboration that is possible between the three parties in government.