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29/06/2009
€5bn Cuts To Come Next Year
An Irish economist is expected to deliver recommendations for €5 billion of the toughest spending cuts in the State's history tomorrow.
Colm McCarthy will present the controversial plan to Finance Minster Brian Lenihan tomorrow and could lead to some of the toughest public sector shake-ups in a generation.
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, An Bord Snip Nua, will print its sweeping report soon and deliver it to the minister for consideration.
The news comes as the Labour party claims there have been leaks and planted stories in the media over the past few days from Fianna Fail, who they say are gauging public opinion over the cuts that are to come in the December budget.
Labour TD Roisin Shortall said the Labour Party did not believe there was any case for cutting basic social welfare rates that are barely above subsistence levels.
"It is all very well for academics or commentators to look at the overall social welfare budget of €21bn and say, as the McCarthy group is reported to be recommending, cut it by €1.5bn. However, if this is applied to individual rates, a person on the basic rate of jobseekers allowance would see their weekly income cut from €204.30 to €189.72 - a cut of €14.58. How many people could live on €189.72 per week?" the Labour TD said.
She added: "The fact is that in the past two budgets cuts have been made that have resulted in a drop in income for many of those dependent on social welfare, creating significant hardship in some cases."
(DW/JM)
Colm McCarthy will present the controversial plan to Finance Minster Brian Lenihan tomorrow and could lead to some of the toughest public sector shake-ups in a generation.
The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, An Bord Snip Nua, will print its sweeping report soon and deliver it to the minister for consideration.
The news comes as the Labour party claims there have been leaks and planted stories in the media over the past few days from Fianna Fail, who they say are gauging public opinion over the cuts that are to come in the December budget.
Labour TD Roisin Shortall said the Labour Party did not believe there was any case for cutting basic social welfare rates that are barely above subsistence levels.
"It is all very well for academics or commentators to look at the overall social welfare budget of €21bn and say, as the McCarthy group is reported to be recommending, cut it by €1.5bn. However, if this is applied to individual rates, a person on the basic rate of jobseekers allowance would see their weekly income cut from €204.30 to €189.72 - a cut of €14.58. How many people could live on €189.72 per week?" the Labour TD said.
She added: "The fact is that in the past two budgets cuts have been made that have resulted in a drop in income for many of those dependent on social welfare, creating significant hardship in some cases."
(DW/JM)
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Budget Cuts Loom Later
It is widely anticipated that the most severe Budget in the State's history will be announced later today. Billed as a recession-beater it will make immediate savings of €4bn (£3.6bn; $6bn) to stabilise the economy. However, it will be painful, as the government has said social welfare and capital expenditure will be cut.
Budget Cuts Loom Later
It is widely anticipated that the most severe Budget in the State's history will be announced later today. Billed as a recession-beater it will make immediate savings of €4bn (£3.6bn; $6bn) to stabilise the economy. However, it will be painful, as the government has said social welfare and capital expenditure will be cut.
29 January 2013
Proposals Could See Interns Working For Free
Changes to the JobBridge scheme being considered by the government could see some participants working for free. Currently recipients of social welfare are entitled to take part in the national internship scheme and they receive an allowance of €50 per week, on top of their welfare payments, for work placements of up to nine months.
Proposals Could See Interns Working For Free
Changes to the JobBridge scheme being considered by the government could see some participants working for free. Currently recipients of social welfare are entitled to take part in the national internship scheme and they receive an allowance of €50 per week, on top of their welfare payments, for work placements of up to nine months.
18 December 2012
Call for Labour Party To Vote Against Social Welfare Bill
Sinn Féin's leader in the Seanad, Senator David Cullinane has called on Labour Party Senators to have the courage of their convictions and vote against the Social Welfare Bill tomorrow. Senator Cullinane said he believes the Social Welfare Bill can be defeated in the Seanad putting further pressure on the Dáil to vote it down.
Call for Labour Party To Vote Against Social Welfare Bill
Sinn Féin's leader in the Seanad, Senator David Cullinane has called on Labour Party Senators to have the courage of their convictions and vote against the Social Welfare Bill tomorrow. Senator Cullinane said he believes the Social Welfare Bill can be defeated in the Seanad putting further pressure on the Dáil to vote it down.
05 October 2011
Welfare Fraud Crackdown Continues
An Oireachtas committee will meet today to discuss current and future proposals to tackle social welfare fraud. The Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education will meet will discuss ways to stop people from fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.
Welfare Fraud Crackdown Continues
An Oireachtas committee will meet today to discuss current and future proposals to tackle social welfare fraud. The Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education will meet will discuss ways to stop people from fraudulently claiming benefits to which they are not entitled.
11 August 2009
Fianna Fail Hints At Welfare Cuts
The Government has warned cuts to welfare may be on the cards in the next budget. Minister for Social Affairs Mary Hanafin revealed today on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme it would be "impossible" to cut public expenditure without reducing social welfare payments.
Fianna Fail Hints At Welfare Cuts
The Government has warned cuts to welfare may be on the cards in the next budget. Minister for Social Affairs Mary Hanafin revealed today on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme it would be "impossible" to cut public expenditure without reducing social welfare payments.
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