Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank and congratulate the Minister of State, as well as the Ministers in the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. We are living in a time of contradictions, severe economic shocks globally and startling rates of inflation, yet here we have full employment and are showing a resilience in our economy. That is why we can afford to introduce two funds that will future-proof our economy and continue the development we need for our growing population and the people who are coming to Ireland because we are an attractive destination for them.

This budget benefits all households, as it should. While the Opposition continues to try to create “them and us” politics, this budget shows that this Government and Fine Gael will not entertain that. We have shown that now for ten budgets in a row, where we have taken tax changes and we have a host of one-off measures to support people in the cost of living. In housing, we have increased the rental tax credit. We introduced 20% mortgage interest relief for those who hold tracker and variable mortgages. I am pleased that the Government held firm on the commitment to reduce childcare fees by 50% overall. That will make a huge difference in people’s household budgets. I was quite startled to hear the Opposition claim that the only thing in this budget for family carers, for instance, is an increase of €12, when we have taken the steps to increase the income disregards for a single person up to €450 and to €900 for a couple. That is significant and will make a difference for households currently on the half rate and it will bring in many more thousands of families to access this essential allowance. Not only that, the Minister for Social Protection is proposing an interdepartmental working group with the Department of Health to look at means testing for carer payments overall. That is significant news for carers, including a lump sum of €400.

I wish to call out other things that I feel will make a big difference to families. First is the introduction of free schoolbooks up to junior cycle. This, combined with the ICT funding that schools have experienced over the past couple of years, makes a big difference. The trainee allowance for gardaí in Templemore again addresses the very real barriers for people who want to become gardaí. College fees were abolished for part-time students and those earning less than €56,000. Why is that not being focused on? Apprenticeship fees are also being cut by 33%.Apprenticeships are a great pathway for people to access long-term employment and lifelong learning. Altogether, this has been a very positive day. I want to again thank the Minister of State for listening to Senators and delivering a good budget.