I move amendment No. 1:
In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section:
2.–The Minister shall as soon as may be after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the implications of increasing child benefit, pensions and other social welfare payments in line with previously stated Government policy commitments, including the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and the Programme for Government.
We have debated this at some length so I will not labour the point. The programme for Government included significantly higher increases than provided for in the budget. We have heard how the pension has been increased, over the last number of years, to a level which would not have been envisaged at one stage. However, that was distributing the wealth of the Celtic tiger. People were entitled to it, particularly the pensioners who formed and shaped society as we now know it. They contributed throughout their working lives. They are entitled to more significant increases than the paltry amounts proposed.
The increase in child benefit clearly does not meet the commitment in the programme for Government. I appeal to the Minister to view the amendment favourably and accept it.