O Cuív denies 5% cut to all welfare

THE Government has indicated there will be cuts to social welfare in the December budget.

Social Protection Minister Eamon O Cuív said there would “inevitably” be cuts to the social welfare budget given the pressure on the public finances. However, he played down suggestions of an across-the-board cut to payments.

Similarly, Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to confirm or deny reports that the Cabinet had discussed a 5% cut to all welfare payments – including the old-age pension and unemployment assistance – at its Cabinet meeting last Thursday.