Ireland set to introduce welfare restrictions

The Government is expected to prevent citizens of the EU accession states from accessing the Irish social welfare system after their countries join the EU in May.

Last night, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern claimed such restrictions were necessary to prevent abuse of the social welfare system.

Ireland is the only existing EU member state that has not introduced these restrictions.

The matter is expected to be discussed at a cabinet meeting later today.

Responding to Mr Ahern’s comments today, Sinn Féin TD Aengus O’Snodaigh said he did not believe thousands of eastern European immigrants would be attracted by Ireland’s paltry social welfare provisions.

"Anybody who’s living on social welfare in Ireland knows how difficult it is to live on it," he said.

"I don’t think people will be coming here to survive on social welfare. People migrate for work and to earn money. The Irish experience abroad is proof of that and I don’t think you’re going to have a huge flood of people coming to Ireland unless the work is there."