Social Justice Ireland today published a damning analysis on the permanent effects of the last couple of budgets on inequality. It reinforces what Sinn Féin has been saying for months now, if not years. The longer this Government is in power, the worse things get. We have the evidence that things are getting worse for those who are crippled by the cost-of-living crisis. The gap between the high earners and middle- and low-income earners just gets bigger under the policies of this Government. An analysis from Social Justice Ireland today stated that this year's budget will notably widen divisions in Irish society. One of the stand-out features of budget 2024 was the failure to recognise the cost of disability. Does the Taoiseach accept that too many parents of children with disabilities are forced to pay privately to access the very basic disability services they desperately need? Does he accept that too many families of workers are struggling just to make ends meet? Finally, does he accept that the Government has failed to tackle inequality and protect workers and families against the cost-of-living crisis?

Objectively, the previous budget was progressive. That is the finding of the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, and the finding of the documentation that is published on budget day. It was a progressive budget, and the measures taken were progressive.

The Deputy raised a fair point with regard to children with disabilities. There was a consensus in this House that we should help parents who are trying to go private to access those services. The Government today approved proposals around assessments of needs whereby the HSE will now use approximately €12 million - I believe up to €11.9 million - to fund assessments of needs using private capacity for children who are waiting for far too long.