Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for public expenditure to the Chamber. This Bill will ensure payments, particularly social welfare payments and I want to comment on the social welfare side. The budget this year provided the largest ever package for social projection. I do not want to underestimate that. People will be able to access increased pension payments and carers will be able to claim back stamps in order to apply for pensions. We have seen a lot of positive changes by the Government. The Bill, in its own way over Christmas, will ensure there are enough funds in the Paymaster General's account. It is crucial that we see these payments continue. It is because of stable Government policies that we are able to deliver this for people across the country.

The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, through the carer's allowance and carer's respite, has done a lot of work and fought for the cause. However, the benefit to the State from a financial perspective of the role that carers play in the family home cannot be overestimated. There is a very strong case for supporting that in the future. We are seeing that challenge when it comes to nursing home places in rural areas. Smaller nursing homes are perhaps not able to be as competitive as larger nursing homes, which are taking precedence. The Government is championing the role of family carers in maintaining independent living and allowing people to live as long as possible in their own homes. I welcome these changes and I would like to see this progress continue.