Finance Bill 2022: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2022-11-29
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Emer Currie (FG), Nominated by the Taoiseach

I thank the Minister of State for the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill, which is a continuation of the supports that we provided during Covid. In the round, this budget has been accepted positively by the public. We are showing that we are as committed to helping families, businesses and people through this crisis like we did the last. In addition, it shows that we are responding to poverty and the needs of families and businesses under pressure. I am reminded of the Tesco jingle “every little helps”, because the power of the statement was that one when adds up all of the savings that people get, it means a sizable chunk coming off the bills coming into people’s home and more supports to deal with them across child care, transport and college fees.
Of course, there is also investment in the Garda and in education. We are seeing all that through income tax measures and positive initiatives such as rental tax credits.
I will focus on the TBESS because the feedback I am getting from businesses is that we are in tune with how much pressure they are under. The fact that businesses experiencing a 50% increase in their energy bills can claim 40% relief, up to a maximum of €10,000, is a great help. I ask that we show some stability. This scheme should be extended beyond February because of the energy crisis and the insecurity around that.
I will also mention the hot meals scheme, which I know is not exactly the Minister of State's area. That scheme has been expanded to include childcare providers. I ask the Minister of State to convey to the Department that it should also be expanded to special schools. We have 140 special schools in the country. They should also have access to that scheme.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2022-11-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:20+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-11-29