Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

We have avoided making any cuts in the State pension. We have also fully protected more than 420,000 children in welfare dependent and low income families from cuts in child benefit. We have ensured that cuts in weekly rates for those aged under 66 years are lower than the decreases in prices over the past year or thereabouts. I appreciate, however, that the budget will be difficult for all of those affected. The choices could have meant taking more money out of services, respite care, day places, home care packages and education, all of which are important for welfare recipients.

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