Welfare row: Taoiseach moves to dismiss proposals for two-tier system

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Expo Pavilion, Osaka in Japan. Speaking in Japan, Mr Martin also said there is a need to increase the number of crèche and childcare spaces 'fairly quickly'.

The Taoiseach has moved to dismiss proposals for a two-tier system of welfare that would see those on unemployment benefits receive a lower increase than others.

It comes after Tánaiste Simon Harris said there is “merit” in unemployment benefit not rising at the same rate as other social welfare payments, such as pensioners.