Burton: Govt was 'unwilling' to impose devastating cuts in 2012

The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton is defending the €475m of spending cuts which accounts for 2% of her Department's budget.

Ms Burton has insisted the Government has protected the most vulnerable people by maintaining the primary weekly social welfare rates.

She said: "Previously it was proposed to reduce the Department of Social Proterction spending by €665m in 2012.

"However, this Government was unwilling to impose such a devastating level of cutbacks at a time of such severe economic difficulty."