Savage 16 replaces dirty dozen, says Labour

SOCIAL Welfare Minister Mary Coughlan introduced 16 benefit cuts yesterday.

Ms Coughlan’s department said the changes did not constitute cuts, but were a “re-focusing of funds towards those in need”.

However, Labour Party social welfare spokesman Willie Penrose described the cuts as “a savage 16 which had replaced the infamous dirty dozen”. He said the cuts were the worst feature of the Estimates as they targeted those most in need.