Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

They have suffered under Fianna Fáil and the current Government in the past six years - cuts in home help hours, the abolition of the Christmas bonus, last year's €20 million cut in the fuel allowance, cuts to household packages, including telephone allowances, and increased prescription charges. Many elderly people who live alone in isolated communities use their landlines for their emergency alarm systems. The telephone is crucial to reduce their isolation. The cut is a mean, cruel and unnecessary attack on our elderly.

I cannot understand how a Minister from the so-called Labour Party could cut maternity benefit on top of last year's cut. It affects the most vulnerable people, who cannot organise a challenge to her decision.

I call on the Minister to reverse the cuts and to consider the 0.5% wealth tax. Taking the €250 million is a choice, but she has already made hers.

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