‘Payments scrapped’ as problems ignored

Government departments are using independent investigations highlighting the discriminatory nature of state supports as an excuse to abolish the payouts rather than fixing the problems.

The outgoing ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, made the claim at the launch of her office’s 2012 annual report, saying the recession is forcing some officials into the questionable practice.

Noting a number of cases since the 2008 economic crash, she said she is regularly faced with a “moral dilemma” over whether highlighting problems in the State aid system is doing more harm than good.