Following Brian Lenihan’s indication that the Fianna Fáil Government is preparing the way for Social Welfare cuts, Mary Harney refused to rule out the possibility when questioned by Fine Gael Front Bench Spokesman Phil Hogan TD in the Dáil yesterday morning.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said yesterday that ‘one of the key features of a social crisis in relation to employment in an affluent country like Ireland is that you have very large social provision and so you’ve a disincentive to work – and that is a very difficult issue to tackle’.
Speaking after he raised the matter in the Dáil yesterday morning, Deputy Hogan said he sought clarification from Minister Harney on whether the Government is planning to cut Social Welfare.
“Not only did the minister refuse to rule out cutting Social Welfare, she went on to say that Ireland has the highest level of social welfare in the EU. This is a clear indication that cuts are now on the Government agenda.
“Fianna Fáil has already scrapped the Christmas bonus, penalising thousands of hard-pressed families. It is now clear that Fianna Fáil plans to go even further,” he said.
