FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny has claimed the Government has failed to implement recommended departmental administrative cuts which would save more than the €108 million yielded from cuts in the social welfare benefits of the most vulnerable.
However, rejecting the charge, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said it was “ridiculous” to say there were no cuts in administration. He also said cuts of 5 per cent across all social welfare benefits were recommended, but the Government decided against that rate.
During Dáil Leaders’ Questions, Mr Kenny reiterated his criticism of the €108 million in cuts for carers, those on blind pensions and the disabled. He added that the allowance for training guide dogs was also being cut.
He said the Government had set up the McCarthy group to determine where cuts could be made in the public sector and it recommended cuts in the Taoiseach’s department of €17.5 million; €88 million in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; €82.8 million in finance; €432 million in health; and €6 million in the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Mr Kenny agreed with the Taoiseach that budgets were about choices. “None of them is easy but there is only one correct option when choosing between administrative cuts in any of the five departments” and cuts “to the benefits of those who are caring for their loved ones, those means-tested for the blind person’s pension and the disabled”.
Citing examples such as Fás, Mr Kenny said the Taoiseach made the wrong choice. “Despite all the scandals about overpayments, golden handshakes, superior pensions and worldwide travel, the cut in the Department of Enterprise was nil.”
Cuts totalling €184 million in the five Government departments he mentioned were recommended from a total of €600 million. “The Taoiseach could have quadrupled the savings in respect of what is required for the disabled, the carers and the blind but he didn’t.”
Mr Cowen said the administrative cut in the Department of Enterprise was €46 million and it was “ridiculous” to say there would be no cuts.
The Government had to make choices. “I acknowledge people will receive a reduced rate of payment as a result. However, we are doing so to keep a sustainable system going, not on the basis that there was some easy choice.”
