Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Could it be that the Government holds the people in contempt?

The social welfare budget is to be cut by €290 million. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and the great champions of working people in the Labour Party stand over that. It is abundantly clear that the Government has a hang-up and problem with young people. I am not sure what they have done. The cut of €44 per week to jobseeker's allowance for people under 25 years requires an explanation. No rationale was offered by the Minister in making the announcement. Does the Government believe those under 25 are a layabout generation? Has the Government noticed there are no jobs for them or is it simply giving them yet another reason to emigrate and become someone else’s problem? Is that the analysis of the Government? When I heard the Minister announce the cut, although it had been flagged in the media, I found myself thinking, what next? I wonder what we can expect next year. Perhaps the Economic Management Council will offer to pack the suitcases of young people and book their flights. It might even give them a few bob for their taxi fare to the airport.

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