If one considers the tables at the back of the plan, however, and the rolling budget for social welfare, one will see there is a small increase in the social welfare budget shown for 2011. I am not suggesting the Government will not do anything in this regard. Clearly, extra people will come in to the welfare net through unemployment. Following this, there is to be a big drop in 2012 and another in 2013. It seems the Government is organising its welfare adjustments as a legacy from a kind uncle to the incoming Government, and it is hoping there will be no key votes on budget night.

See this item in context