Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

No matter how the Taoiseach juggles the figures, the number of people out of work in this country is at a record high, at more than 400,000. There are huge consequences for the people who are out of work, including loss of confidence and self esteem and the sense of hopelessness when one cannot access employment. There are also practical consequences. They must try to survive on the subsistence level of income which they receive under the social welfare system.

Yesterday, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul published its pre-budget submission. Unlike Government Ministers and some of the hardline commentators who wish to inflict more pain on the poor, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is in contact with people with real problems. The society reports that there was a 30% increase last year in the number of people contacting the society and one out of every four people contacting the society in Dublin is doing so for the first time. The society is now housing 560 homeless people per night in its facilities. It points out that Ireland is the second most expensive country in Europe for food and has the third highest level of poverty. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul concludes that there is no moral or economic justification for cuts in social welfare or pensions. It asks, in particular, that the Christmas bonus payment for people on social welfare, which was withdrawn by the Government this year, be reinstated.

The Labour Party agrees with the society's conclusions. Does the Taoiseach agree that there is no moral or economic justification for cutting social welfare payments and pensions? Does he also agree that the Christmas bonus payment should be restored?

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