PLANNED CUTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD PLUNGE FAMILIES INTO WELL OF POVERTY

PLANNED CUTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD PLUNGE FAMILIES INTO WELL OF POVERTY 

According to Labour's Keith Martin the government's proposal for a cut of €1.3bn in the Social Welfare Budget would devastate the social welfare system, lead to greater inequality in Irish life and plunge those who are already on the lowest of incomes into an even deeper well of poverty. 

"The Labour Party acknowledges the burden on the national finances created by the increase in the social welfare budget over recent years, but the most effective way to reduce the bill is to get people back to work.   

"A reduction of €1.3bn in the social welfare budget could not be achieved without cutting some or all basic social welfare rates.  

"A cut of €1.3bn would represent a reduction of around 6% in the overall social welfare budget.  If this were to be applied across the board, it would bring the basic rate of jobseekers allowance down to a little over €192 per week. 

"Those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and those who have worked all their lives and are now on pension, should not be required to pay the price for the recklessness of bankers and for Fianna Fail's mismanagement of the economy over the past twelve years. 

"Throughout the past year the mantra from Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and others in Fianna Fail has been that 'We are all in this together, and that we will all have to share the burden'.  However, it is clear from statements of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance that the three sectors that are the key targets are - those on social welfare; those who work in the public service; and those who depend on public services. 

In last year's budget Mr. Lenihan spurned the opportunity to raise significant additional revenue by closing the massive tax reliefs available to the super wealthy and ending the scandal of tax exiles.   

All the signs are that Fianna Fail will again opt to make their primary targets ordinary workers and those on social welfare. 

Keith Martin 086 0691182