Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming the Chamber. I was rather alarmed when I heard Senator Keogan criticising the increase in the overseas aid budget. The Government should be proud of our record of investing in overseas aid and supporting the most vulnerable on this planet. While I note that Senator Keogan’s friends were not protesting today outside Leinster House, the kind of dog whistle we see from her on a regular basis should continue to give us cause for concern.

This is a positive budget. I will draw attention to a number of small aspects of it that I think are particularly important. The investment in higher education grants and the significant improvements in the amount of grants paid to students, the thresholds at which students will qualify and the restoration of higher education grants to postgraduate students are particularly welcome. These will help to make education even more accessible.

I am conscious that the other Senator Byrne referred to the extension of the section 481 film credit tax cap. It has been increased from €70 million to €125 million. This will make Ireland a far more attractive country for international productions, not just in production but also post-production. That, combined with other measures to attract some of these international productions, is welcome and to be applauded.

The real difference in this budget will be to ordinary workers. There is a significant increase in the form of the cuts to the USC, particularly the reduction of 4.5% rate to 4% and the expansion of the threshold at which the 2% rate kicks in. Those will make a real difference to ordinary lower- and middle-income workers. It places a real value on work. While I get that those in the Opposition and others are critical of the idea of making work make sense, I think as a Government we should make no apologies for ensuring that those who get up early in the morning are properly rewarded. I am particularly glad to have heard the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, make the announcements on the USC cuts today.

The Minister of State and I had quite a good discussion on support for foster carers recently. This is the first time in a budget since 2009 that we have seen an increase in the levels of payment to foster parents. There will be a double payment this winter, which is welcome. While we are looking at an increase of €73 and €75 next year, I am aware €25 of that will be in January and the indication is that the balance will be later in the year. I urge the Minister of State that we front-load that and bring it forward as quickly as possible. As she knows, there is a big challenge in recruitment and retention in the foster care sector. The sooner we can do this, the better.

Finally, like my colleague Senator Chambers, I also welcome the establishment of two long-term funds. Both the future Ireland fund and the infrastructure, climate and nature fund will be welcome. They will stand the test of time for this country. It is critical there is an input from the Houses of the Oireachtas on how they will be created. This budget not only addresses some of the short-term challenges we face but also invests in Ireland well into the future.