Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I asked for a guarantee but I did not get it. The Government has made much of the increased payments that will be made to higher paid workers but it has not been so loud about the fact that those on the lowest pay will be worse off. A worker on €400 a week with two years of contributions will be €20 a week worse off under the Government's proposal, a worker on €300 a week with five years of contributions will be €40 a week worse off, and a worker on €250 a week with two years' contributions will be €47.30 a week worse off. Who will be hit the hardest by this? Part-time workers, those who reduce hours to care for dependants, and young people and immigrants who have not built up their contributions. Why is the Minister of State supporting a scheme that will reduce the social welfare entitlements of the lowest-paid workers?

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