CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS

In an analysis of social welfare Budget changes in the editions of January 23rd it was stated that the Government had engaged…

In an analysis of social welfare Budget changes in the editions of January 23rd it was stated that the Government had engaged in "sleight of hand" when the Minister for Finance said the minimum rates of social welfare benefits and allowances recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare had been achieved. It was also stated that the Commission had wanted these rates introduced as a matter of urgency in 1986.

In fact, what the Commission had wanted introduced in 1986 were immediate interim improvements which were not implemented until some years later. The "minimum rates" to which the Minister referred represent one of two possible long term improvements in social welfare payments put forward by the Commission.