Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

— deplores the mean-spirited decision of the Government to cancel payment of the long standing Christmas bonus paid to most social welfare recipients;

— notes that this represents an effective 2% cut in social welfare payments over the full year;

— recognises that those on social welfare have come to depend on the extra payment to meet the additional costs associated with Christmas;

— expresses its serious concern that the decision will drive families dependent on social welfare into the hands of moneylenders or high-interest loan providers;

— calls on the Government to reverse the decision and make the payment at Christmas 2009 as usual; and

— believes that the €156 million revenue required for the payment this year could be raised through further restriction on interest relief on rental property, including restriction of relief on commercial properties.

With the agreement of the House, I wish to share my time with Deputies Burton, Sherlock and Morgan.

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