Seanad debates

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2014: Committee Stage

 

12:05 pm

Photo of Paschal MooneyPaschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our preference would have been to table a proposal seeking a restoration of the cuts that took place since 2011, but such a provision would most likely be ruled out of order. This recommendation represents our attempt to go at it from a different direction. I look forward to the Minister of State taking the opportunity in his reply to outline what the indications and sentiments are within the Department.

It is of course welcome that €5 is being restored to recipients of child benefit, but that measure obscures the reality of the impact of reductions in a range of important social welfare provisions which impact the vulnerable in our society. Lone parents, for instance, people on jobseeker's allowance and many others are really hurting. We hear stories almost every day of the week about families who are finding it very difficult to survive. In my own part of the country, I have been amazed to discover that households I assumed were surviving quite well, relatively speaking, are actually relying on the assistance of non-governmental organisations to get them through the Christmas period. It is a very sad reality and I am sure the Minister of State has encountered similar cases in his own constituency, which includes a broad mix of demographics, economic and otherwise.

From that point of view it would be important if the Minister were to outline the Government's views in his response.

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