SOCIAL welfare payments will be cut by 4.1%, affecting everyone under pensionable age and raising fears that thousands of younger jobseekers will now flee the country.

Unions lined up tonight to launch vicious attacks on the Government threatening months of angry disputes and strikes over pay cuts.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that he agrees with General President of SIPTU, Jack O'Connor's sentiments that Government and the social partners must work together to maintain Ireland's economic progress.