Warnings over legal challenge to benefit cuts were ignored

THE Government pressed ahead with announcing budget cuts to the disability allowance for new claimants despite warnings against the move from the Department of Social Protection.

Legal advice to the department warned a legal challenge could arise from any attempt to pay a lower rate to some people based solely on the date of their claim when their circumstances were no different from existing claimants.

It also said difficulties would arise in defining a new claimant, given that some people were existing claimants on one welfare scheme but had to move to another scheme; some existing claimants would hope to sign off their scheme but might have to depend on it again in the future; and some people had claimed in the past and now needed to re-apply.