Free travel pass won’t be hit in budget, says Labour leader Joan Burton

The process of transforming the Department of Social Protection into an active and engaged employment service will continue, new Labour leader, Joan Burton insisted yesterday.

Speaking ahead of her election, Ms Burton was keen to let everyone know her approach to social protection in the October Budget, regardless of the result.

“Getting people back to work is the single best way of reducing the welfare budget,” the Minister for Social Protection declared at her department’s pre-budget forum in Dublin Castle.