Working family payment nothing new, says Joan Burton

Tánaiste Joan Burton has swept aside suggestions by Taoiseach Enda Kenny of a new welfare system to reward those returning to work and said such schemes have existed for years.

Mr Kenny used a dinner speech on Thursday to outline plans for a working family payment to promote work over welfare, which he pledged Fine Gael would introduce if returned to power.

The Taoiseach said the payment would be targeted at low-income families and would supplement household income while at the same time incentivising work.