Welfare cuts for citizens but bail-outs for banks ‘unjust and obscene’

MORE THAN A MILLION people in the 26 Counties are this week being hit by new cuts to their social welfare and child benefits while Fianna Fáil and the Green Party continue to bail out the banks for their reckless behaviour, Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

She said that many people have already been forced over Christmas into the arms of money-lenders, a trend that will undoubtedly rise as more families feel the pinch all year round.

It is unjust and obscene.

Mary Lou McDonald continued:

People on jobseeker's, carer's, disability, illness, lone parent and maternity or adoptive benefits will see cuts to their weekly payments.

A further 600,000 families who are in receipt of child benefit on behalf of 1.15 million children will begin to see payments cut.

Budget 2011 was a direct attack by this Government against the growing number of families who are dependent on social welfare.

Sinn Féin has made costed proposals for a better way forward based on stimulating the economy, creating jobs, tax reform and building an economy which serves citizens instead of punishing them, Mary Lou McDonald said.