Primary social welfare benefits set to avoid cuts

THE GOVERNMENT has reiterated its pledge that primary social welfare benefits will not be cut in next month’s budget.

Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd said that, while the Government wants to tackle department expenditure, it will focus on tackling fraud and restructuring rent allowance — rather than cutting entitlements.

However, benefits will be cut, Mr O’Dowd warned, if welfare recipients don’t take up jobs that they are offered.