Minister urges charities to be realistic about budget

CHILD BENEFIT:KEEPING CHILD benefit, the State pension and rent supplements at current levels and the fundamental reform of welfare schemes were among the demands of NGOs and charities at a pre-budget forum with Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuív yesterday.

The Minister heard submissions from 29 groups in total.

There were few calls for welfare increases aside from the Senior Citizens Parliament, who sought a €5 per week increase in the over-80 Age Allowance and Age Action Ireland, who asked for an extra €3 per week for pensioners to make up for the carbon tax.

Social Justice Ireland also submitted its “alternative” budget which it says, if implemented, could achieve €3 billion in savings and allow for a €5 per week increase in all welfare payments.

Mr Ó Cuív said no decisions had yet been made about his department’s budget for 2011, but added expectations had to be “realistic”.

“A quick analysis of submissions received by my department from various groups for this morning’s forum reveals a total extra demand of around €2 billion for 2011. This is clearly an unrealistic expectation.

“I am determined however to ensure that the interests of people who have to rely on the back-up supports of social welfare will continue to be heard at the Cabinet table.”