Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Other than those basic items, this was about prudent management of the economy to make sure there is money for the years to come and not to spend it all yesterday.

What we announced yesterday touches every sector of society. We introduced a rent tax credit, and that will increase to €1,000. We are providing two €125 energy credits. Some people complain about that. We are cutting the USC, which will help workers in the country and people in employment. We have €12 weekly increases in social protection. We have now free schoolbooks to be introduced for everybody up to leaving certificate. Childcare fees are being reduced as well. We have substantial investment in education and we are building safer communities. There is substantial investment in health, increased access for IVF and free HRT. Supports for higher education are a top priority, as is childcare. We have extra funding for carers, who do a lot of work behind the scenes.

Finally, people are well aware of all the record increases we have announced in the €2.2 billion package for social welfare. That affects every house in terms of child benefit, State pensions and everybody else. It is not only for people who are at home, not working. That affects all the older generation and the younger generation.

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