Minister urged to reverse cuts in social welfare

Published: Sunday, September 18, 2011

INCREASES IN some social welfare payments and the reversal of previous cuts were among the demands made of the Minister for Social Protection yesterday at a pre-budget forum for the community and voluntary sector.

Joan Burton heard pleas from 33 groups, including the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Inclusion Ireland, One Family, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the National Association of Widows in Ireland.

Ms Burton said she was there to "listen", but stressed "the reality is that expenditure will have to be further reduced in the forthcoming budget".

"I will do my best," she added, "to ensure that the burden of resolving the crisis does not fall disproportionately on their shoulders. One of my key priorities is therefore to ensure that the department's reduced resources are targeted at the people who need them most."

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