Burton wins out in Seanad showdown

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has seen off a rebellious Seanad vote against her budget measures despite opposition from independent senators.

They had laid down demands for Ms Burton and warned they would vote as a group on budget measure cuts, a rejection that could have delayed their introduction by months.

However, the first crucial stage in the Seanad debate on the Social Welfare Bill was passed last night as Labour senators backed Ms Burton’s measures.

The Taoiseach’s six Seanad nominees voted against the Government but the bill was passed by 34 to 22 votes.

Ms Burton yesterday defended measures in the budget, saying welfare payments had been protected.

Several senators under the lead of Jillian van Turnhout made demands to alleviate cuts for the vulnerable.

The Taoiseach-nominated senator said the 20% respite carers grant cut was “inequitable”. The group of six senators also want measures to cushion cuts for recipients of child benefit, with increases instead in the family income supplement, qualified child allowances, or a second-tier payment for poorer claimants.

“We do not impose a whip on group members and there have been times in the past and no doubt in the future when we will not all vote in the same way. But on this occasion we anticipate acting in unison,” said Ms van Turnhout.

Several Labour senators who hinted at opposing budget cuts yesterday said they would support the bill.

James Heffernan called for a better system of administering the payment of child benefit. John Whelan said there was a need to apologise for the cuts but that he would not vote against the bill. Denis Landy told the opposition to keep their mouths shut but called for a review of respite care cuts.

Earlier, Ms Burton met Labour senators and it was outlined how a rejection of the bill in the Seanad could result in the loss of €124m in savings from the delayed implementation of cuts.

Ms Burton told the Seanad later: “I’m just saying there are also financial consequences.”

She said she would speak to her ministerial colleagues about the availability of respite care services nationwide and would publish a tax expert group report on child benefit in January.

Meanwhile, opposition TDs last night complained that property tax legislation was rushed through the Dáil as it was approved by members.