Government accused of frightening public on dole cuts

Fine Gael today accused the Government of terrifying the public, calling a series of leaks to various Sunday newspapers about cuts to social welfare payments a cynical attempt to test the public mood.

The report of An Bord Snip Nua, due to be published in the coming weeks, is expected to recommend wide-ranging cuts in the budget at the end of the year.

The Government said no decisions have been made but Fine Gael's Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Olwyn Enright says the process being used is entirely inappropriate.