Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Dec 2011

Vol. 750 No. 1

Leaders’ Questions

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach seemed to be confused yesterday about the impact of the budget on DEIS schools and disadvantaged schools. He gave the impression that the pupil-teacher ratios in such schools would not be affected. Yet another needle has been found in the haystack of hidden cuts in this budget. Disadvantaged schools around the country are set to lose 428 teaching posts. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has said "DEIS schools are not immune to budgetary measures". The withdrawal of supports from up to 270 designated disadvantaged schools across the country has been announced. A number of primary and post-primary schools in the Taoiseach's home county of Mayo will be affected. Schools on the south side of Cork city stand to lose approximately 30 teaching posts that were sanctioned to help those children with the greatest needs. A very good article in yesterday's Irish Examiner quoted from a letter that has been written by school principals on the north side of Cork city. It quoted them as saying “our pupils have flourished, emotionally and developmentally and parents are very involved in their children’s education” as a result of the DEIS scheme.

I understand school principals in Dublin who are shocked about this brutal decision have met Deputy Ó Ríordáin. The Deputy was due to meet the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to express his concern about these cuts. The principals in question have said the cuts will devastate disadvantaged schools. As a former principal of a disadvantaged school in the inner city of Dublin, Deputy Ó Ríordáin has said he is deeply uncomfortable with the proposed cuts.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Will he vote against them?

Deputy Micheál Martin

Who can blame him?

Deputy Finian McGrath

Will he stand up and be counted?

Deputy Micheál Martin

He has first-hand knowledge of the impact this decision will have. At a time when literacy and numeracy are being prioritised by the Department of Education and Skills, it defies logic that supports for literacy and numeracy in DEIS schools are being decimated. It makes no sense. Does the Taoiseach accept that the imposition of these cuts on pupils who need extra support, through no fault of their own, is a retrograde step?

Deputy Finian McGrath

Hear, hear.

Deputy Micheál Martin

Does he believe it is fair? What other money-saving options were examined before it was decided to make this decision, which will devastate pupils in disadvantaged schools?

The Taoiseach

I pointed out to Deputy Martin yesterday that all of the choices which have had to be made in order to secure a reduction of €3.8 billion, across current spending and taxation, are unpalatable. It would be wonderful to be able to say that things do not need to be changed and that the veneer which has existed for so long can be maintained. That is not the case, however.

Deputy Finian McGrath

The Government should not impose cuts on the weak.

The Taoiseach

These changes will take place over three years. Some alleviation measures will be possible. Some legacy posts will be phased out over three years, but no one school will be disadvantaged as a consequence.

Deputy Finian McGrath

That is not true.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

They will all be equally disadvantaged.

The Taoiseach

The Minister is well aware that these changes will have a direct impact on some communities.

Deputy Finian McGrath

These cuts are unacceptable.

An Ceann Comhairle

Settle down.

Deputy Finian McGrath

The Taoiseach is misleading the House.

The Taoiseach

The Minister met a group of school principals yesterday to listen directly to their concerns——

Deputy Finian McGrath

He said there would be no change.

The Taoiseach

——about the impact of these measures on their schools over the next three years. The Minister confirmed that the measures will be implemented on a phased basis and that, as set out in the budget announcement, there will be alleviation measures for the schools most affected by the changes. The Minister will continue the conversation about identifying the most affected schools when he meets representatives of the INTO. I assure Deputy Martin that the Government's protection of disadvantaged schools is underlined by its maintenance of €13 million in enhanced funding and €2 million in school book funding for DEIS schools, as well as its €26 million investment in the home school community liaison programme.

All of these areas have been protected from expenditure reductions in 2012. In order to distribute the resources available under DEIS fairly, it is no longer possible to retain this concession in some schools when comparable schools do not have it. In January 2012, following conversations with the Minister, all schools will be notified of their staffing entitlements under the new arrangements, including any alleviation measures that may apply. As I have said, this withdrawal is being done on a phased basis to allow schools to prepare for this gradual change. I remind the House that DEIS band 1 primary schools are given a dedicated staffing schedule based on a general average of one teacher per 22 pupils. This compares to a schedule of one teacher per 28 pupils in other schools.

Deputy Micheál Martin

As I have said to the Taoiseach previously, the problem in this House is that there is a disconnect between the language that is articulated in official-speak and the reality on the ground.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Hear, hear.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The use of terms like "alleviation" and "legacy posts" means nothing to the principals who are teaching these pupils on the ground. They are annoyed and angry because teaching posts are being lost despite the progress that had been made. As the principals said in the letter I mentioned earlier, "there has been a quiet revolution over the past number of years in DEIS schools, where children learn through the caring relationships they have with teachers in smaller classes and through small group work". That is what the people on the ground are saying. The Taoiseach's words will not give them any comfort or consolation. He has confirmed that these measures will be implemented. It is the wrong decision. Why are the most vulnerable children who need the greatest assistance taking the brunt of these cuts? I am not the only one saying this. The ESRI confirmed it last Thursday in its assessment of the impact of this budget, by comparison with other budgets, when it stated:

These results over this four-year period show a strongly progressive pattern, with the lowest income group losing by about 2 per cent and the highest losing by 11 per cent. The scale of the progressive impact of earlier budgets, which raised income tax, abolished the ceiling on PRSI payments, and introduced the universal social charge is much greater than the regressive impact of Budget 2012.

That is an independent analysis of last week's budget. The Government has made the wrong choices. Those on the lowest rung of the ladder and the most disadvantaged will suffer as a result. I cannot understand what the Labour Party was doing when it oversaw cuts of this nature as long ago as 9 September.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Hear, hear.

Deputy Micheál Martin

They went through it line by line and allowed this to happen. Shame on them for that.

The Taoiseach

I will not use the words "alleviation" and "legacy post" for the Deputy. Deputies can take out their books at page one, if they wish.

The Government's protection for disadvantaged schools is underlined by the maintenance of €13 million of taxpayers' money in enhanced funding for DEIS schools. I hope that is clear. Some €2 million is provided to DEIS schools in funding for school books. I hope that is clear. There is €26 million investment in the home school community liaison scheme. I hope that is clear. All these areas have been protected from cutbacks.

As I stated before the budget, the decisions the Government has had to make, across every Department, are unpalatable. It would be great to think about how the country should be run but if it had been run in a competent fashion we would not have this situation.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Taoiseach avoided decisions.

The Taoiseach

I meet the principals, the teachers and the parents.

Deputy Micheál Martin

No, you do not.

The Taoiseach

I personally know some of the pupils.

Deputy Finian McGrath

If you did meet them you did not listen.

The Taoiseach

Yes, I do meet them and for that reason——

Deputy Micheál Martin

You do not listen to the people.

The Taoiseach

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, sat down with principals of schools yesterday and is meeting the INTO organisation to explain what is involved so that its members can prepare for these gradual changes.

Deputy Dara Calleary

Cheerleaders.

The Taoiseach

He has already pointed out that alleviation measures will be put in place for the most impacted schools, where teachers are likely to be lost in the coming three years.

Deputy Micheál Martin

What does that mean? Some schools are losing three teachers.

The Taoiseach

The DEIS 1 primary school category is being given a dedicated staffing ratio of one teacher for 22 pupils as against 28:1 in other schools.

Deputy Micheál Martin

That makes it worse. The general allocation makes it worse.

The Taoiseach

This will not be easy for anybody.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

This is an attack on the most marginalised people.

The Taoiseach

We must deal with the situation in the best way possible.

Deputy Micheál Martin

These are the most disadvantaged people. They are not "anybody".

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy. You had your say. Let the Taoiseach answer the question.

The Taoiseach

The Minister pointed out these changes are to be phased in over three years. He has demonstrated his understanding by sitting down with the principals and the INTO——

Deputy Micheál Martin

He should have sat down with others. He is undermining the scheme now.

The Taoiseach

——to discuss the implications for schools. He has protected the category 1 DEIS schools with a very favourable pupil-teacher ratio of 22:1 as against 28:1 in other schools.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

What does the Taoiseach have to say to the parents in Deputy Ó Ríordáin's school?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Come to Cork North-Central.

An Ceann Comhairle

I call Deputy Adams.

Deputy Timmy Dooley

They are genuinely involved and are citizens of this country.

An Ceann Comhairle

Will Deputies please stay quiet?

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I invite the Taoiseach to Cork North-Central.

Deputy Finian McGrath

This is a very serious issue.

An Ceann Comhairle

I called Deputy Adams.

Deputy Micheál Martin

The Minister is slashing education and this is not on.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy had his opportunity at Leaders' Questions. He can ask all he likes. I call Deputy Adams.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

I invite the Taoiseach and the Minister to Cork North-Central.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Kelleher, you will be talking outside shortly, if you are not careful.

Deputy Finian McGrath

The north side of Dublin has been devastated by these cuts. It is not acceptable.

Deputy Gerry Adams

On the cuts——

An Ceann Comhairle

Hold on a second. Let Deputy McGrath talk to his leader up there who will look after him.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

He is worse than Mattie.

Deputy Gerry Adams

We are on the cusp of Christmas. Many of us will be warm——

Deputy Timmy Dooley

The disadvantaged will not be.

Deputy Gerry Adams

——and comfortable but many other citizens will not be so lucky. Christmas will not be good for them.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Deputy Kehoe has €40,000——

Deputy Gerry Adams

James Connolly once remarked——

Deputy Finian McGrath

He has more, actually.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Can I have order, please, a Cheann Comhairle?

An Ceann Comhairle

Please, Deputy McGrath. You are not impressing anybody.

Deputy Gerry Adams

I point out to the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, James Connolly's remark that one can judge a society by the treatment given to its lowest class. Is í sin an fhírinne agus bíonn an fhírinne searbh. Déantar tír agus sochaí a thomhas ar an bhealach a chuidítear leo siúd atá leochaileach. The Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, can stand on the plinth outside this Parliament and see the grim reality of homelessness in this city. Night after night, from summer time to the freeze of this winter, people are forced to sleep rough. Five years ago there were 1,281 "excess winter deaths", as the jargon has it. Most of those who died were elderly vulnerable citizens. This year there will be more of them. Many senior citizens are not well treated in this republic. In September, for example, the Government cut the weekly fuel allowances and the household benefits package. Last week it cut fuel allowances by the equivalent of €120.

In addition, great injustices are suffered by citizens in the care of the State. The disgraceful treatment of the five women in St. Brendan's, Grangegorman, is a shocking indictment of our mental health service. Mental health provision remains the Cinderella of our health services. These women should be cherished, not victimised.

An Ceann Comhairle

A question, please.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Does the Taoiseach accept that for many citizens this Christmas will be colder and poorer because of the Scrooge-like policies of his Government?

The Taoiseach

Aontaím leis an Teachta go mbíonn an fhírinne searbh; tá a fhios sin ag gach duine. Is fíor a rá nach bhfuil a ndóthain chompord ag cuid mhaith daoine ag an bpointe seo agus cuireann sin isteach go mór orthu go pearsanta agus ó thaobh cúrsaí sóisialta de.

The Deputy is aware that the changes made to the fuel allowance mean it operates for six months of the year. That is obviously a reduction from what it used to be but six months is a considerable period during which fuel allowance is made available.

The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, clarified the position in regard to the five women who were referred to yesterday in the Dáil. As I understand it, the changes being made mean that those citizens will not be confined in locked quarters.

Deputy Brendan Ryan

Hear, hear.

The Taoiseach

They will be able to move around in freedom and will have their personal space, as one would expect. I thank the Minister of State for her intervention in that regard. I listened to Mr. Kavanagh speak on this matter on "Morning Ireland".

It is a fact there has been homelessness in this city for very many years. A number of studies and reports have been carried out by groups and organisations that work with the homeless.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Give them houses, not reports.

The Taoiseach

The numbers vary from year to year, depending on circumstances in which people find themselves and the reasons they are on the street. I have had occasion to speak to numbers of homeless people in the vicinity of this House throughout many years. Some are there because of marital rows, some because they could not get on in their own homes, some because of particular issues that affected them. In many cases — or some, at least — they simply do not want to be housed anywhere. I spoke to a young man recently who was homeless and on the street. I asked him if he was in a position to stay in a hostel but he said he could not go into one because it was likely he would be attacked, or whatever. These issues are always under review by the organisations which do such great work with homeless people. If the existing reports are followed through properly there will be a considerable improvement in this situation and we support that in the best way we can.

The Deputy is aware that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, published the affordable energy strategy only two weeks ago. That sets out 48 timetabled actions which, when implemented, will make a big difference to a great number of people. The better energy programme, also published by the Minister, will mean that €76 million will be spent on improving the lot of people in poor housing conditions or who are homeless.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Dúirt an Taoiseach go gcuireann an cheist seo brón air ach is a rogha é, is polasaí an Rialtais é seo. These are citizens. Nobody is homeless by choice. Nobody sleeps rough by choice. There are 5,000 citizens without a home and 200 sleep rough. It is almost impossible to get emergency accommodation in this city.

The Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, dealt with the Grangegorman issue but she did not pretend it was an adequate solution. These five women are still——

An Ceann Comhairle

We can deal with only one topic at a time. Thank you.

Deputy Gerry Adams

The Taoiseach responded on this, a Cheann Comhairle.

An Ceann Comhairle

He responded to you.

Deputy Gerry Adams

A Cheann Comhairle, you cut in on me all the time.

(Interruptions).

An Ceann Comhairle

I just remind the Deputy of the rules, that is all.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

You had it very easy before you came to this House.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Those are smart remarks from Labour Party Ministers. Why has a Minister with responsibility for housing not been appointed? Why has the position not been filled? Does this Government not take the issue of housing seriously? Riddle me this, Deputy Rabbitte with all the smart alec remarks, why was that position not filled since the resignation?

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

I will bring in a barrel of cotton wool from now on to wrap around Deputy Adams in case anyone interrupts him.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Answer me this, why has a Minister for housing not been appointed?

An Ceann Comhairle

Can we have a supplementary question?

Deputy Timmy Dooley

He really gets Deputy Rabbitte going.

Deputy Micheál Martin

He comes from a disciplinary background.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

It is hard to believe the Deputies were all one some time ago.

Deputy Gerry Adams

There is a crisis and the Government's response to it is not even to appoint a housing Minister. While there are 300,000 empty properties in this State, many of them owned by NAMA, we have this imbalance of 5,000 citizens homeless. What can be done about this? Does the Taoiseach take the homeless and housing crisis seriously? If so, when will he appoint a Minister for housing?

The Taoiseach

I share Deputy Adams's concern that no citizen should be on the streets of our cities homeless. The reasons for this can be many and varied, personal and sensitive. When one talks to those in that position, one learns much from them. I recently met with Society of St. Vincent de Paul personnel, the Simon Community and Sr. Stan and her people in Temple Bar. The programmes they want to implement over the course of several years will go a long way to alleviating this problem.

There are, however, new people who, for whatever reason, will become homeless and take to our streets. In a civilised society and one as well off as Ireland has been, this should not be a reality. It is, however. When I first entered the House over 30 years ago, there were several people in the locality of Leinster House who were homeless. While attempts were made to house them at various times, they did not want to do it for particular personal reasons.

Deputy Adams can take it that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will make his recommendation on the ministerial appointment to the Government. The Government is well aware of the nature and scale of the homelessness problem and will do what it can to alleviate it, working with those organisations which do such outstanding work night after night on the streets and byways. The targets set out in the many reports on this problem are achievable and will go a long way in dealing with this problem in a comprehensive fashion. It is not nice and when one speaks to those involved, one learns about their views, about our country and the way it was run and how it should be run in the future.

Deputy Joe Higgins

This week the Taoiseach's Government is declaring a new economic war on the people with its new household tax. It will be a new burden on ordinary people in furtherance of the Government's ruinous austerity policy of bailing out banks and speculators. Does the Taoiseach have any idea of how angry, frustrated and outraged our people have become over the past three years as their wages, health and education services have been slashed with our society hollowed out as its resources are expropriated to pay the private gambling debts of Irish and European banks? Does he remember the anger last month of ordinary people when €700 million was given to unsecured Anglo Irish Bank bondholders from their taxes?

Deputy Colm Keaveney

Does the Deputy remember Argentina?

Deputy Joe Higgins

Does the Taoiseach see this household tax is a burden too far? Starting at €100, everyone knows it will rise quickly to €1,000 with the EU-IMF driving it as well. Does the Taoiseach understand this will be met with a massive campaign of opposition from Donegal to Wexford, from Kerry right back to Dublin? The Taoiseach's disgraceful campaign of intimidation of threatening householders with fines of €2,500 for non-registration will be resisted. The Taoiseach has set March 31 as a deadline. Does he know there is already a massive campaign beginning by the 1.6 million householders of low and middle income workers to boycott this tax?

An Ceann Comhairle

Can we have a question, please?

Deputy Joe Higgins

This is their opportunity to have their own referendum on these ruinous austerity polices. They are being called on not to register in January, February or the first half of March when the Government cannot touch them.

An Ceann Comhairle

A question, please?

Deputy Joe Higgins

We will arrive at the end of March with the bulk of the 1.6 million householders having boycotted the registration.

An Ceann Comhairle

What is the Deputy's question?

Deputy Joe Higgins

Not registering will break this unjust tax.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is over his time.

Deputy Joe Higgins

Does the Taoiseach know that the attitude among people is that if one is brought to court, then we will all go? Does he realise he cannot coerce a million plus householders?

Deputy Noel Harrington

Will Deputy Higgins be the first?

Deputy Joe Higgins

In boycotting this new and unfair tax——

An Ceann Comhairle

Sorry, but the Deputy is over his time. Will he please pose a question?

Deputy Simon Harris

This is just a promo for Deputy Higgins.

Deputy Joe Higgins

——does the Taoiseach know a leaf is being taken from his county's history when the people stood up and resisted the unfair and unjust extortion of landlords? The Taoiseach will be the new Captain Boycott of austerity, imposing the will of the EU-IMF——

(Interruptions).

A Deputy

Cop on. That is over the top.

An Ceann Comhairle

Would the Deputy mind putting a question?

Deputy Joe Higgins

——and bleeding our people.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Where is Michael Davitt now?

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The Deputy can be Nemo.

Deputy Pat Rabbitte

Deputy Finian McGrath is asking himself why he did not think of that one.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is way over his time. Will he please sit down?

Deputy Joe Higgins

Coming from Mayo, how will the Taoiseach live with that?

The Taoiseach

I suppose I should address Deputy Higgins as Captain Kirk of the Enterprise. I always thought that Kerry people understood there is nothing free in this world and when one turns on the tap, someone has to pay to put the water in there in the first place.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Unless you are a banker or a bondholder.

The Taoiseach

Be it water in Kerry, Donegal or Dublin, someone has to pay for it.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald

We are paying for it already through general taxation.

Deputy Finian McGrath

The Taoiseach should not forget the north side.

The Taoiseach

The household charge will be €2 a week. Deputy Higgins led a campaign against bin charges. I remember him being dragged away behind a truck many years ago.

Deputy Finian McGrath

He was jailed too and did time.

The Taoiseach

Does Deputy Higgins know what that did? It led directly to the privatisation of bin services.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

This Government will privatise them all.

Deputies

That has been the plan all along.

(Interruptions).

The Taoiseach

The Deputy felt, coming from County Kerry where they pride themselves in keeping their towns and countryside clean, that he could leave the rubbish and someone would collect it just as afterthought.

Deputy Gerry Adams

Up the Kingdom.

The Taoiseach

The moneys raised from the household charges will go to fund services such as street-cleaning and libraries for the Deputy's area and every other area across the country.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Is the Taoiseach joking? He intends to cut them all.

Deputy John Halligan

The Government is cutting their funding.

The Taoiseach

These service were all funded by the Exchequer up until now. It is necessary that citizens understand they can make a contribution of €2 for these services.

The €160 million expected to be raised from this charge is based on the number of properties expected to be liable for it. Waivers will apply to those in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, social housing supports, rent supplements, those living in category 3 and 4 unfinished housing estates, building, planning control and public safety issues of where the developer is not contactable. Exemptions in which people do not need to declare will apply to properties which are part of a trading stock of a business, local authority properties used for social housing, voluntary or co-operative properties, properties owned by the Government, the Health Service Executive——

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett

Will these waivers last as long as those on the bin charges?

Deputy Finian McGrath

Come on, Captain Boycott.

The Taoiseach

——or by charities, properties on which commercial rates apply and where a person is forced to leave home due to long-term mental or physical infirmity.

Deputy Joan Collins

That will not be the case two years from now.

The Taoiseach

The range of non-declarations is extensive. This is a €2 charge a week for vital facilities. When he turns on his tap in the morning when he goes to shave, if Deputy Higgins thinks it is not worth €2 a week he should consider what he is at.

Deputy Joe Higgins

Spurious arguments like that and evading the critical issue——

Deputy Simon Harris

We will need cotton wool for Deputy Higgins too.

Deputy Joe Higgins

Everything can be boiled down to a few euro a week — electricity, gas, heat, the children's clothes, even child care.

The reduction in child benefit is more than a few euro a week by the way. That is completely spurious.

People in Kerry, Mayo and Dublin understand that nothing is free because they pay for it already. We have running water in our homes because taxpayers funded and continue to fund it. Do not insult them by pretending that the resources will not come from outer space.

An Ceann Comhairle

Could I have a question please?

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Taoiseach is wrong regarding the privatisation of bin services up and down the country. The vast bulk of local authorities had privatised their bin services before the Dublin protest.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Deputies opposite should check their history.

Deputy Simon Harris

One pays for the bins these days.

An Ceann Comhairle

Could I have a question please?

Deputy Joe Higgins

I invite the Taoiseach to look at the anti-water tax campaign between 1994 and 1996 when a massive boycott by the people of Dublin forced a Government with his party in it to get rid of the tax in December 1996. That is what he is looking at again.

Deputy Olivia Mitchell

Shame on the Deputy.

Deputy Finian McGrath

It is a poll tax.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Higgins is over time.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Taoiseach is trying to blur the issue by reading a list of waivers. Will he acknowledge that the vast bulk of ordinary people on low and middle incomes, including pensioners and householders in negative equity or who are put to the pin of their collar to pay their mortgages will have this tax demanded of them if it is passed in the House?

Loads of money can be got for our public and local services.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is way over time. This is a supplementary question.

Deputy Joe Higgins

On 25 January next, the Taoiseach intends to pay €1.2 billion to a single unsecured bondholder in the former Anglo Irish Bank.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy should resume his seat.

Deputy Joe Higgins

He could keep €200 million, give it to the local authorities and give people a break. I invite him to withdraw this household tax disaster this week——

An Ceann Comhairle

This legislation will be debated immediately following the Order of Business.

Deputy Colm Keaveney

A total of €18 billion is needed.

Deputy Finian McGrath

It is a poll tax.

The Taoiseach

I pointed out for the information of Deputy Higgins the range of waivers that apply where people will not have to pay this charge. He will also be aware that decisions made in the budget mean there is no change in the income tax rates for every worker.

Deputy Joan Collins

There are stealth taxes instead.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Government will get them in other ways.

The Taoiseach

The Government reversed the minimum wage decrease brought in by the previous Government and we made a decision to take 330,000 low paid workers out of the universal social charge to alleviate the pressure on them.

Deputy Joan Collins

The Government is giving them back €4 a week and then taking €2 a week off them.

The Taoiseach

The range of categories of people who do not have to declare this is extensive. It is a €2 charge per week for a very vital and fundamental facility. I am quite sure that the Deputy wants to have as many people at work and in gainful employment in his constituency as possible and water facilities will be the criteria for many of the industries that will employ thousands of people over the next decade.

Deputy Joe Higgins

The Government is killing jobs with its austerity.

The Taoiseach

It is about time some Government faced up to the extent of leakages in the water system, inadequate water systems and local authorities being able to provide services for citizens in their own areas.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

There are more leaks from Cabinet than from water pipes.

The Taoiseach

This is a charge of €2 per week and it will be used for vital services in each local authority area.

Deputy Finian McGrath

Give the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, a waiver. He is not happy with his salary.

Deputy Billy Kelleher

Send in the plumbers.