‘Scrooge-like’ refusal to hike allowance

THE Taoiseach has been described as “Scrooge-like” after refusing to increase the €19.10 weekly allowance to asylum seekers to allow them buy Christmas gifts for their children.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil yesterday it was “very regrettable” the allowance had not been increased since 1999.

“I need not remind the Taoiseach the number of times he and the rest of us have seen increases in our salaries since 1999,” said Mr Gilmore.