Ireland fails to protect its weakest citizens

IRELAND spends less to protect its poor, sick and vulnerable citizens than the vast majority of EU countries, according to new figures, which are a damning indictment of the Government’s tenure in office.

Despite record resources at its disposal tax revenues in the first six months of this year alone reached €17.2 billion Ireland lags far behind countries like Sweden, France and Germany when it comes to spending on social protection.

The Government's record also fares badly against the 10 much poorer states whose accession to the EU last year brought total membership to 25.