Statements on the Budget - 15th October 2008

Statements on the Budget - 15th October 2008
Senator David Norris: I welcome the debate. Like most other Senators, I received approximately
20 submissions from Age Action Ireland, Action on Suicide, Chambers Ireland, the
Carers Association and the Disability Federation of Ireland, which attended the Mansion
House to point out that \83 million had disappeared while being redirected through the HSE.
Several of the federation’s members asked to have their stolen money returned to them. These
are the types of issue we must address.
Do´ chas, which represents 40 organisations, is reasonably satisfied that the 0.7% target for
overseas development aid is still on track. I received a submission from the Irish Cancer Society
— it is regrettable that only 50 cent has been added to each packet of cigarettes, since it could
have been \2—and Inclusion Ireland. As children with disabilities have a statutory entitlement
to assessments by therapists and so on, therapists have been drawn away. As a consequence of
these staffing restrictions, there is a serious lack of professionals to provide ongoing therapy.
Each area has its own difficulties.
I also received submissions from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the Irish Deaf
Society, Focus Ireland, the IFA, the National Youth Council of Ireland, One Family, OPEN,
Schizophrenia Ireland, the Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament, the Simon Community and the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul. I am not an economist but I know one simple thing, that money
is the symbolic representation of energy. In the old days one received a sack of corn if one
worked for a farmer. One was then given a gold ducat, a ten bob note, a promissory note, then
something else. The problem internationally is that the symbol has become detached from
reality. We are now into international casino financing and I am disturbed that the Minister’s
colleague is considering licensing casinos and, in particular, making accessible to Irish gamblers
the kind of terminals described throughout Europe as the crack cocaine of gambling.
I appeal to the Minister of State in respect of the 1% levy. It is a disgrace. Those of us here
can afford it. I do not mind paying 2% but surely people earning under \35,000 should pay
nothing at all. These people are already on the edge. Those earning between \35,000-50,000
should pay 0.5%. I have written to the Minister for Finance appealing to him and I will table
a recommendation at the appropriate time. It is important to examine this and it would be very
popular if the Minister agreed to it. I imagine the amount of money gained is quite small.
Let us consider the situation of the poor. Liquid fuels have risen by 47% in the past 12
months, other fuels by 39%, gas by 17-19% and the ESB seeks a 17% increase. In respect of
food, in the 12 months to May the price of flour has risen 39%, bread by 17%, milk by 30%,
butter by 17% and tea by 11%. That shows how near the margins are these people. I can
suggest one practical measure from one of the briefings I was at, given by the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul. It suggests front-loading the fuel allowance, especially for those using oil, who
tend to be people in the country. I welcome the increase to \20 but oil companies will not
deliver on the basis of that sum. If it is paid in two equal parts of \510 in October and then
January it will cost the Exchequer nothing but will help the people involved.
The medical card situation regarding those over the age of 75 is a mess and should never
have been implemented. I approve of means testing but, on the other hand, people have been
seduced out of the VHI and are now dumped. They may not get cover again.
The merging of the rights agencies is a mean one because there are no savings. We know
that the Combat Poverty Agency will be absorbed into the Office of Social Inclusion and will
lose its independence and its capacity for independent research. There is no saving in this
move. This month, a motion was passed in the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs
asking that this would not be done. The Minister knows the text of this.
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Budget Statement 2009: 15 October 2008. Statements
I refer to the Equality Authority and the Data Protection Commissioner, who are being
decentralised. There is no saving. This is being done to deprive the poorest of the only voice
they had and that is shameful. The Minister should examine this again.
Senator Shane Ross: Many of us on these benches, one of whom is Senator Norris, would