Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

The Bill, when enacted, may be cited as the Social Welfare Act 2011. This is probably common procedure, as each new Bill has a Title based on the previous one. However, given what is contained in it, it would be an insult to call this the Social Welfare Act 2011 because it is the exact opposite. I am, therefore, disagreeing wholeheartedly with the Bill, given the level of cuts and the groups which have been targeted by the Minister in it. I disagree with the Title, especially as children are being targeted by ways of the cuts to child benefit. In addition, entitlement to domiciliary care is being affected. Thankfully, the Minister for Social Protection listened to the furore over the decision on disability allowance before she went ahead on the bizarre idea that the disabled should shoulder the burden for speculators and gamblers.

The other main group which the Minister is targeting in the legislation includes one-parent families. At various committee meetings she repeatedly said there was a need to address poverty traps, but they are being added to in the Bill. I have received a range of correspondence in recent days from people who are absolutely scared of the consequences of the Minister's actions this week. At this stage in the deliberations I will not read the horror stories, but people have done the sums and understand what is happening. In many cases, they are totally dependent on social welfare and do not have a spare 50 cent, never mind a euro, at the end of the week. The money has often been accounted for before they receive it.

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