Ministers ‘failing to tackle poverty’

A PRE-ELECTION row yesterday erupted between the Government and Opposition parties over claims that ministers were failing to reduce poverty and unemployment.

Fine Gael and Labour both insisted that anti-poverty agencies have reported increased difficulties, especially following the Budget's "savage 16 cuts".

But Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan insisted that Government policies were working. "A strong economy means more jobs and that means less unemployment and a real assault on poverty," she said.