Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The increases given in January were of the order of 3.3% to 3.8%. Although I accept the loss of the bonus is a 2% drop, even if there had not been a change in inflation there would have been an increase over the year. It is a difficult time of year for pensioners who like to give to others despite needing to look after themselves and for families who need to buy for their children.

To return to Deputy Shortall's comments, Barnardo's yesterday acknowledged the discernible and real decline in child poverty.

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