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.

"Between now and September, we have to work out what savings can be made, while protecting people who are genuinely dependent on social welfare and are very vulnerable," she said.

Ms Hanafin said the €21 billion social welfare bill was a "huge drain" on public finances but would do her utmost to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

Labour's spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs, Roisin Shorthall, has however called the revelations "alarming", saying that the Labour Party did not believe there was any case for cutting basic rates that are "at or barely above subsistence levels".

"Justifying a cut by linking social welfare to the rate of inflation is disingenuous.

"Many of those now beating the drum to cut the paltry incomes of those on social welfare are the same people who have defended tax breaks for the wealthy over the years."

Instead of cuts, Ms Shorthall said the Government should take additional steps to eliminate social welfare fraud, cut out duplication and review schemes and get people back to work.

(DW/BMcC)