Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss the following matter of urgent importance, namely, the Government's decision to cut the current fuel and household allowance rates for the elderly and carers. Following the Minister for Social Protection's announcement last week, an elderly woman came into my constituency office in Cabra distraught. The combined cut to the household and fuel allowance will result in a €27 reduction in her weekly income. For this woman, like so many of our carers, disabled and elderly, costs are increasing week on week but the most fundamental of supports are slowly being withdrawn by the State. The Minister, Deputy Burton, and her Cabinet colleagues must wake up to the reality of people's lives. Cutting from the bottom up is wrong and unnecessary and the Government must reverse its decision to cut the current fuel and household allowance rates.

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