Controversial reductions in a raft of social welfare allowances will be rushed through the Dáil without sufficient debate, the Labour Party claimed today.
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, faced a public outcry after reductions in lone parent allowance, rent allowances, back-to-education allowance and child dependent allowance were among 16 cuts announced in the Book of Estimates last month.
Minister Coughlan yesterday published the Social Welfare Bill which implements some of the changes and comes before the Dáil today and tomorrow.
A date for the Bill going to committee stage and its final reading has not been set but Labour chief whip, Mr Emmet Stagg, said the said the Minister "certainly" intends to rush the Bill through before Christmas.
Mr Stagg said the cuts - known as the "savage 16" - were likely to lead to "one of the most contentious debates in recent years". However, because the Bill is to be rushed through - or "guillotined" - many deputies will be denied the opportunity to speak on the matter.
And he hit out at the guillotining of seven other Bills before the Christmas recess, pointing that four Bills will be guillotined on Friday - a day when votes are not taken.
The publication of the Social Welfare Bill 2003 also gives effect to increases announced in last week's Budget.
Ms Coughlan said social welfare expenditure in 2004 is due to be over €11.26 billion - a 7 per cent increase on 2003.
She referred to an ESRI study showing consistent poverty levels falling in recent years and said the Department's spending in 2004 will reduce the level further.
Ms Coughlan said the Bill will safeguard "living standards of those who rely on social welfare income and other supports".
The bill comes before the Dáil today and tomorrow.