Welfare cuts/political reaction: Labour predicts Fianna Fáil backbenchers will distance themselves from the Estimates/
Opposition parties have strongly condemned the cuts in eligibility for rent allowance and other social welfare schemes, with Fine Gael calling them "an all-out assault on the poor".
Labour's social affairs spokesman, Mr Willie Penrose, yesterday predicted "a rush to the microphones" of Fianna Fáil deputies seeking to distance themselves from the Estimates when the reality of the cuts sinks in.
However, Fianna Fáil backbencher Mr Martin Brady defended the cuts. The Department of Social and Family Affairs had "refocused a number of schemes, ensuring that resources are directed to those who need them most, and underlined that commitment with an increase in funds to €10.65 billion," he said.
Fine Gael's spokesman, Mr Michael Ring, said the cuts, which are expected to save €458 million, were "an attack on the family and on lone parents". This was particularly ironic as they would take effect next year, the tenth anniversary of the United Nations International Year of the Family, he said.
He was particularly critical of the new rule on eligibility for rent supplement, which states that a person must first have paid for rented accommodation for six months. Rent supplement is to assist people in private rented accommodation who cannot afford to pay for it from their own resources.
"How can anybody, the first day they set out to look for accommodation, be expected to have a deposit and enough money for six months' rent without any assistance from the State?" he asked.
"The Diet Supplement and the Crèche Supplement have also been abolished. The Back to Education Allowance Scheme has been changed and now encourages people to stay in receipt of social welfare for 15 months, rather then trying to encourage them off social welfare by returning to full-time education at third level. This is another attack on the poor," said Mr Ring.
These changes came despite warnings from aid organisations and charities that poverty is on the rise in Ireland.
He said the cuts will have consequences over the course of the next 12 months, with lone parents and those on rent subsidies severely affected.
"Curtailing the Back to the Education Allowance even further is illogical and means groups like lone parents, who have been squeezed by social welfare cuts are being constrained from re-entering the labour market and education," he said.
"I predict that when the reality of these social welfare cutbacks sink in with the backbenchers in Fianna Fáil, there will be a rush to the plinth to cry crocodile tears as they did when the homebuyers grant was abolished and tax individualisation was introduced."
The Green Party social and family affairs spokesman, Mr Dan Boyle, said the changes were petty and vindictive. "Changing qualifying criteria, shortening time limited benefits, reducing rates of payment, removing certain payment categories and abolishing half payment awards, can hardly be described as the work of a caring and progressive Minister for Social and Family Affairs. These cuts can justifiably be described not only as an attack on poverty, but as an attack on the poor themselves.
"Why is the Government prepared to institute these changes and yet it is not willing to challenge the wealthy in our society to pay fair and proportionate taxes?" asked Mr Boyle.