Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to speak on the Social Welfare Bill. Given that the cost of living is rocketing for many people, I will make my contribution all about the money. In my constituency, Kildare North, people are feeling the pinch.

The terms "social protection" and "social welfare" are important, good, positive, inclusive and caring. They form the basis of care for people in our society who need protection in the short term because of job loss or illness or in the longer term because of disability and caring. For those forced to depend on us, social welfare is certainly not something for nothing because when people have to depend on welfare they have little choice. People tell me they feel they have little power when in receipt of social welfare and are constantly being scrutinised. While scrutiny is necessary, it would be great if equal scrutiny could be given to the lavish costs in other parts of the public services and projects which overrun.

In Sinn Féin we believe in society and want to protect it. Therefore, we want to reform the social welfare system so that it reflects the way people are living in the 21st century. We want to make sure that all social welfare rates are adequate and that those who have to rely on the welfare system are protected from poverty. We all know that being poor costs an absolute fortune. There is never any money to save for a rainy day or the chance to avail of a good deal in shops or discounts on bills. It is important that people forced to depend on welfare have adequate funds and dignity in their person.

That is why the €12 increase in core social welfare rates provided for in the Bill is insufficient. It is insufficient even without the crucifying increase in the cost of living people are facing while everything is going up in price. These are the same people who have already cut back, not just to the bone but to the marrow. They are the same people who do not need the wealthy or privileged to lecture them in a patronising manner about how to manage their money better. You do not teach your granny how to suck eggs. Nobody knows better than those in receipt of social welfare how to budget.

An increase of €12 is not enough to keep people fed, warm, in school or college and out of poverty. It will also not be paid until January, when life is already extremely tough and Christmas is on the way. It annoys people when they see everything else going up in the budget overnight, such as excise on petrol, cigarettes and drink, although that is not happening this year, while they have to wait until January for their payments.

In contrast to the Minister in this Bill, Sinn Féin proposed raising the working age payment by €17.50 and pensions by €15. Those in receipt of the living alone allowance would also get the €17.50 rate increase. This was carefully costed and based on the excellent and reliable work of the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. The payments we proposed would have been in people's pockets in October. The increases in the Bill are not sufficient to be social or protect people. As I said, "social welfare" and "social protection" are good, positive, inclusive and caring terms. Unfortunately, however, the Bill falls short.

See this speech in context