Hanafin cuts ‘kick unemployed when they are down’

SOCIAL Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin is “kicking the unemployed when they are down”, the Dáil was told.

Labour TD Róisín Shortall condemned the various social welfare cuts announced in last month’s budget.

In particular, she criticised the decision to reduce the maximum length of time an unemployed person can claim Jobseeker’s Benefit from 15 months to 12.