CORI want benchmarking deal honoured

CORI are today challenging the Government to honour its commitment to benchmark social welfare payments in its forthcoming budget.

In practise it would mean that the lowest social welfare rates would be raised by €12 a week for single people and by €20 a week for couples.

The director of CORI, Fr Sean Healy, says it is crucial the Government deal with the widening gap between the poor and rich.