Social welfare changes coming in budget, Govt Chief Whip says

Government Chief Whip Paul Keogh has confirmed that there will be changes to social welfare rates in next month's budget.

The confirmation comes despite the coalition stating in its Programme for Government that it did not intend to reduce social welfare payments.

Deputy Keogh has also confirmed that the budget will be delivered over a two-day period, for the first time ever.

Spending changes will be announced on December 5, while changes in taxation will be outlined in the Dáil on December 6.

But Deputy Keogh said that with savings of €3.8bn needed, the Government have no choice but to looking at changing social welfare rates.

"We're in a very difficult space at the moment and we have to take €3.8bn out of the economy," Deputy Keogh said.

"When you are doing that, there are some very difficult choices that have to be made. The fat has been taken off an awful lot of things in previous budgets, and we have to go further.

"When you do that, you have to look at everything. There will be changes within the social welfare system."