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

I note the fact that the Minister of State has spoken about a floor of €125 per week. Other Ministers have said that what we are doing is catching up with the EU in pulling ourselves up to the EU norm. I do not think that stands up to scrutiny. In France, pay-related benefits last for two years, between 57% and 75% of a person's income is paid, and there is a floor of €212 per week. That is nearly €100 higher than the Government's proposed floor of €125. In Sweden, 80% of income is paid for the first three months before dropping to 70% and the floor is €316 a week, which is nearly €200 a week higher than the floor the Government proposes. Its floor of €125 per week is not the European norm. It is an attack on the lowest social welfare payment. How can the Minister of State expect anyone to live on €125 a week in this day and age?

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