An internet campaign to oppose proposed budget cuts that would affect the most vulnerable members of society was launched in front of the Daíl today.
An "alternative cabinet meeting" featuring community and voluntary organisations and trade unions was held as part of The Poor Can’t Pay campaign, which opposes the proposed five per cent cut in social welfare payments.
The parties defended the current level of basic welfare payments, minimum wage and called for restoration of the Christmas payment.
Sharon Kirkpatrick, a lone parent and university student, said she is struggling to pay for her daughters’ day care and cuts to welfare allowances would make it impossible for her to continue her masters programme.
Hidden cuts to supplementary payments on top of cuts to basic welfare allowances will deal a double blow to people dependent on them, she said.
Aaron Kirkham from the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed criticised the Governments’ attempt to reduce the budget deficit. “I think that a lot of the people who are calling for cuts in the minimum payments should live on that kind of payment first and see how they get on," he said.