TÁNAISTE AND Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore has reiterated the position of the programme for government, that social welfare rates will not be reduced in the budget in December.
Asked what was the Labour Party position on social welfare rates in the budget and whether the Government would maintain current rates, Mr Gilmore said: “The programme for government is quite clear on that. The budget is six months away, but the programme for government is quite clear.
“The Labour Party has been very clear all along, that we want to ensure that the burden of the adjustment that has to be made in our budget is shared fairly and that those who are least able to bear that burden are not asked to do so.”
When it was put to him that Taoiseach Enda Kenny had said there would be no increase in taxes and he was saying there would be no reduction in social welfare rates, he replied: “No, you’re wrong, both the Taoiseach and I have said jointly what is the position in the programme for government, both in respect of taxation and social welfare.”
At a joint news conference with the Taoiseach last week to mark the Government’s 100 days in office, Mr Gilmore was also asked if the promise to maintain social welfare rates still held.
“Yes it does,” he said. “The entire commitments in the programme for government remain the Government policy.”
He was speaking after Mr Kenny had said the Government would adhere “very strictly and very clearly” to the commitment in the programme for government that there would not be any income tax increases in the budget.
