Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their attendance. I will not repeat the points already raised by other members. The points speak for themselves and I await the answers.

I am constantly hearing that the Irish social welfare rates are very high. However, the cost of living in Ireland must be taken into consideration. The rates are lower in other countries but so too is the cost of living in other countries. One cannot have it both ways. One cannot lower the rates of social welfare while the cost of living is high. That would drive people into poverty. We have been told that any figure below €25,000 for a couple with children will drive them into poverty. In my view, €25,000 is a very low figure, especially when a mortgage has to be paid. A lot of working people in this country - not just people on social welfare - are driven into poverty now because they are unable to meet their bills and they are not entitled to any benefits. They do not qualify for any aid, such as rent supplement, simply because they are working.

It is distressing to note that food aid includes butter and rice. It reminds me of the days when people queued at local authority offices for the intervention beef. It is degrading, to say the least, for people to have to do that. I am sure there will be a different method of distribution used now. I ask the delegates to elaborate on a new, more flexible method to be introduced.