THE SOCIETY of St Vincent de Paul has criticised suggestions that social welfare payments should be cut to rein in public spending. A report issued earlier this week by Goodbody Stockbrokers said it could be possible to cut welfare payments without reducing their real value in light of the falling cost of living.
But the president of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Mairéad Bushnell, said she was “appalled at the naivety and ignorance” shown by the stockbroking firm of the reality of life for those dependent on welfare.
She said people on social welfare spent a significant part of their income on basics such as food, energy, education and health, which have levels of inflation above the consumer price index.
“Far from making the poor pay for this mess, it’s time for Ireland to take a serious look at what kind of country we want our children to inherit: is it one where cold economics, rampant capitalism and remote government holds sway or where real people really matter?” she said. “The people now losing their jobs and joining the 850,000 people who were already living in, or on the very edge of, poverty, did not cause the crisis Ireland is in right now.
“Indeed, it could be said that much of the older generation now barely getting by on the State pension and the thousands of low-paid – and vulnerable – workers now losing their jobs were the basis of much of the economic success of recent years.” She said the society would resist any attempts to reduce welfare payments.
The Goodbody report says that social welfare spending is “too big to be ignored” and a projected drop in the consumer price index could allow for welfare payments to be reduced.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has insisted that basic social welfare payments will not be cut and has pledged the Government’s priority will be on protecting the most vulnerable.