Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I will quote the Taoiseach's words from last week in the Dáil: "The changes we are making tomorrow will ensure that those young people", referring to young people working part-time before the crisis, "are no worse off than they were before the pandemic". That is the impression that the Taoiseach gave to people. He suggested that those people would not lose out as a result of the cuts and that is not the truth. The truth is that many people are going to be worse off as a consequence of the Government's decision. Some people will lose up to 50% of their income. It is an incredibly cruel cut to make, particularly in the context of food poverty, etc.. This is in line with the Taoiseach's kicking down with the "Welfare cheats cheat us all" campaign based on bogus figures and spin. It is right wing populism going after bogeymen, including people who supposedly won the Lotto, who obviously have not, and preparing the way to cut PUP for everybody. The Taoiseach should withdraw the cut.

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