Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Can the Minister commit to the existing social welfare rates, notwithstanding the authorisations, changes and overhaul of various systems she spoke about in grandiose terms? I take at face value the Minister's commitment in that regard but I ask her to confirm the commitment in respect of the existing rates, especially in the context of what the Minister for Finance said last week.

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