Tánaiste: ‘Deeply problematic’ to take water bill from dole

Tánaiste Joan Burton has told the Labour Party that it would be “deeply problematic” to deduct dole from welfare claimants who are unwilling to pay water charges.

The Social Protection Minister made her comments last night at the private parliamentary party meeting where she answered queries from TDs and Senators about speculated new compliance measures.

She told members she did not know where the proposed measures had emerged from and that it would be very difficult to deduct people’s welfare.