Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)

I wish to avail of this short opportunity to register my protest on behalf of many members of my constituency as a result of measures imposed by the Minister for Social Protection in this Bill. There are several aspects of the Bill which are unfair, unjust and discriminatory. This is a budget that, through stealth, hits the pockets of some of the most vulnerable families and parents in our society.

While many of those on social welfare were initially pleased by the announcement that basic social welfare rates would not be reduced, that initial relief was replaced with the realisation that parents were being hit in an indirect and underhand manner and repeatedly from all sides. The true impact of budget 2012 will only become evident in the weeks and months ahead.

The effects of budget 2012 will have a particularly devastating effect on single parents and on families who are on lower incomes. While basic rates of social welfare may be unchanged, the reconfiguration of schemes and the alterations to the eligibility requirements will have a real negative impact on many families. The changes to child benefit, the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and the lone parent family payment are all extremely harsh and difficult. The reality is that poverty is rising in Ireland and this budget will accelerate that problem by failing to support some of the most needy children. Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office show poverty rates for families with three or more children have risen from 6.3% to 9.6%. Despite these statistics child benefit for large families has been cut. The changes to child benefit as a result of the budget will cost a family with four children approximately €430. This is a savage blow in any respect.

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