State backs welfare guide but not equal rights

THE Government has been accused of hypocrisy over its backing for a new guide to the social welfare system just weeks after it campaigned against equal rights for agency workers.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs yesterday launched A Short Guide to the Irish Social Welfare System published by the Congress Centres Network in five languages; English, Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Russian.

The booklet outlines the payments and entitlements available within the social welfare system, explains how they can be accessed and gives advice for how people should act in various situations such as unemployment and ill-health.