Senator Darragh O'Brien, who is the leader of the Opposition, mentioned the social welfare Bill. On my way to the House I had been been informed that the Bill would be debated in the House in mid-November. However, I have now received a note that the Bill will be completed in the other House next week and that we are expected to complete it by the end of October. If that is the situation, it means that the House will sit during the week in which it was supposed to be in recess and during which the Dáil will be in recess. I must find out the exact position as I have only learned about this in the last few minutes.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also mentioned the €13.2 billion budget for health and called for a debate on the service plan once it is published. I will try to arrange such a debate.

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Coghlan and Wilson welcomed the pyrite remediation scheme that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is due to announce. I have asked the Minister to publish the legislation for the scheme as a Seanad Bill. As he is amenable to doing this, I hope the Bill will be introduced in early course.

Senators Bacik and MacSharry called for a debate on third level education and funding. I will request that from the Minister for Education and Skills. I note Senator Barrett's points in regard to the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill. I will see what we can do in that regard.

Senator Clune and others referred to the budget, and small businesses in particular. Members on this side of the House welcome the many measures introduced to support small businesses and create jobs, whereas Opposition Members claim there are no initiatives in this regard. A tax package of €500 million is being introduced, alongside 25 new measures to support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprise, and create jobs. All of us unreservedly welcome the retention of the 9% VAT rate on tourism and hospitality products, which also supports small and medium enterprises. We have been told that the reduced VAT rate has created 15,000 jobs and it will continue to create jobs in the future. The Senators opposite do not think this measure is aimed as protecting small businesses but I disagree with them. The air travel tax rate, which the previous Government introduced, is being reduced to zero. That will also support the tourism sector, which is important in terms of attracting finance to this country.

We want to support exporters.

Clearly the Senators opposite do not want to know about the good measures. They want to dwell on the negative. I do not blame them for so doing given that they have little to say about the budget other than picking out negative elements. I will not continue to outline the good measures contained in the budget.

They will not listen.

Senator Ó Murchú referred to this evening's Private Members' business and his Bill on the 1926 census. I cannot at this stage predict the Government's position on the Bill but I am sure we will hear it this evening. I commend the Senator for bringing the Bill before the House.

Senator Harte called for a debate on enterprise and employment. I have asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to come to the House but I have not yet agreed a date with him. I will continue to press him for a debate on jobs and job creation.

Senator Cullinane made a number of points regarding medical cards for the over-70s. Couples with an income of more than €900 per week will lose their medical cards. Senator Gilroy rightly drew our attention to the amount that young jobseekers receive in Ireland. The rate in the North, where Sinn Féin is in power, is €67. Senator Cullinane should put that into perspective and start considering what his party is doing in government in the North. He tends to forget these figures when it is convenient to do so.

Senator Henry spoke about the ongoing difficulties that publicans face and called for a debate with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy White, on the below cost sale of alcohol. I will try to arrange a debate with the Minister of State, who has indicated that he will come into the House.

Senator Byrne spoke about the budget and the question of social housing. It is the intention to build or refurbish 500 houses for social housing next year. More are needed but we have to start somewhere. Senator Hayden referred to the construction sector and called for the scheme for principle private residences to be extended to houses that are rented. I am sure that point will be made when we debate the issue further. Senator White spoke about the budget and job creation. I have outlined some of the measures that were announced in that regard.

Senator Colm Burke spoke about the health budget and expressed concern about the amount of money being paid to agencies outside the HSE. Certain CEOs are being paid incomes in excess of €300,000 from the health budget. The Senator intends to raise this issue with the Joint Committee on Health and Children. More than €3 billion out of the overall health budget of €13.2 billion is being spent on areas outside the HSE. These areas should come under the same scrutiny as the HSE. I ask Senator Colm Burke to revert to us with the outcome of the joint committee's deliberations on the matter.

Senator Gilroy reminded Opposition Members of their promises and the cuts they introduced to social welfare.

That is a bit rich coming from Senator Gilroy given how the Labour Party broke its promises.

We will not get into it this morning. Senator Bradford spoke about welfare dependancy and the Social Welfare Bill. I have already indicated when that Bill is likely to come before us.

Senator Mullins called for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to come to the House. The Minister will come into the House for a debate next Wednesday. The Senator also called for a debate with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on the marketing of tourism and measures such as the air travel tax. I will ask the Minister to come to the House. I remind Members that our economic sovereignty will be restored on 15 December. That is something all Irish people will welcome.

Senator Conway spoke about the tobacco industry. He had hoped that the price of tobacco would increase by more than 10 cent but the Government is also taking steps on the plain packaging of cigarettes and other measures to address the concerns he raised. Senators Conway and Noone referred to measures aimed at supporting the tourism and construction sectors. Senator Wilson spoke about the bereavement grand and the prescription charge, which has increased from €1.50 to €2.50. I understand, however, that a cap of €21 applies to multiple prescriptions. The bereavement grant is being removed but an exceptional means payment is still available.