Coughlan defends ‘savage 16’ welfare cuts

THE Minister for Social Affairs yesterday stoutly defended the so-called “savage 16” welfare cuts announced in this year’s Estimates.

Almost a week after the Estimates were unveiled, the opposition continued to exert pressure on Minister Mary Coughlan and the Government in the Dáil over the 58 million in cuts, with robust attacks on the changes by Fine Gael’s social affairs spokesman Michael Ring and by Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte. Mrs Coughlan defended the changes during a heated debate on the Estimates in the Dáil.

The Department would have a record 10.65 billion in 2004, which, she said, would double 1997 figures. She also insisted that the figures did not take into account the increases in social welfare payments to be included in the upcoming Budget.