Social welfare rates unchanged
Deputy Adams challenges the Government’s claim that it kept its welfare promises; the Taoiseach insists the principal social welfare rates have not been reduced, while Opposition deputies dispute this.
Má sheasann a gceannairí leis na daoine, is féidir leo todhchaí níos fearr a bhaint amach le chéile, agus tá a fhios sin ag an Taoiseach. Muna sheasann a gceannairí leis na daoine agus má bhriseann siad a ngealltanais, beidh siad ar an mbóthar mícheart. Tá a fhios sin ag an Taoiseach fosta. Tá baol ann go bhfuil beagán á rá chun dóchas a thabhairt do dhaoine. Is léir go bhfuil an Rialtas ar an mbealach mícheart. Tá mé fíor-chinnte faoi sin. Tá slí níos fearr ann. Tá an tslí atá bunaithe ar an cheart ann, agus tá a fhios sin ag an Taoiseach fosta.
When is a cut not a cut? Be sure that the cuts the Government has introduced will have a devastating effect on the most vulnerable in society. Fuel allowance will be cut by 20%. Despite pre-election promises, cuts in child benefit will cost a four-child family €432 in 2012 and €768 in 2013. Measures are being introduced to target those in part-time employment when there are almost 500,000 people on the dole.
I have a simple question. Perhaps the Taoiseach will explain why he is prepared to intervene to secure a €35,000 hike for a political crony — this pay rise is more than the average industrial wage — when he believes it acceptable to cut child benefit, disability allowance and mental health provision. How can one citizen have these incomes and services slashed while another citizen, a former Fine Gael adviser, can be given a €35,000 rise in contravention of the Government's own regulations?
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Tá a fhios ag an Teachta Adams nár bhris an Rialtas a ghealltanais, ó thaobh na príomh rátaí leasa shóisialaigh de.
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Sin an rud a dúramar roimh an toghchá agus tar éis an toghcháin, agus tá na gealltanais sin comhlíonta ag an Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí.
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Níor déaneadh beart de réir an bhriathair.
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Níl laghdú ar bith iontu. Má fhéachann an Teachta Adams orthu agus má tá sé in ann iad a léamh, feicfidh sé nach bhfuil laghdú ar bith iontu. Is fíor agus is cinnte é sin. Ní hí sin an cheist a chuir an Teachta Adams. Bíodh an Teachta cinnte faoi sin. Sin an ghealltanas atá comhlíonta ag an Rialtas. Níl laghdú ar bith sna príomh-rátaí leasa shóisialaigh.
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Ní chreidim sin, agus ní chreideann an Taoiseach féin é.