The reversal by the Government of its decision to withdraw social welfare benefits from widows and widowers, as part of a €6million cost-cutting exercise, is to be welcomed. But it has left untouched a series of cuts in other benefits and welfare services that are having a negative effect on the most deprived and vulnerable sections of our society.
For months now, housing charities like Focus and agencies like the St Vincent de Paul have been campaigning for change. And while the Minister for Social Welfare and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, initially agreed to review decisions in relation to all 16 schemes that had been affected, the prospect of further change appears to have been closed off.
There is no doubt that public opinion, amplified by the opposition parties, forced the change in relation to widows and widowers on the Government in the run up to the local and European Parliament elections. The amount of money involved was small and the treatment of those involved was seen as mean and uncaring. At a time when the Revenue Commissioners spoke about collecting an additional €1 billion in unpaid taxes and penalties, the parsimonious approach in relation to widows' entitlements could not be justified.
When times are bad, members of the public are expected to tighten their belts. And, invariably, the most vulnerable and those living in straightened circumstances suffer most. When circumstances improve, however, the needs of such people are not regarded as a priority. That must change. The Government's financial situation has altered dramatically since these cutbacks were introduced in last November's spending estimates.
Ms Coughlan was forced to make cuts in 16 areas in order to save a total of €58 million. Community employment schemes were affected. Rent supplements were reduced and made more difficult to obtain. Back-to-education allowances and crèche supports were cut. Voluntary agencies working with the homeless, the poor and single-parent families were appalled. They described the cuts as mean, petty and extremely discouraging. They pointed to the negative effects such changes will have on child poverty and general social deprivation. And they asked the Government to reconsider.
In the first three months of this year, the Government raised €350 million more in taxes than had been anticipated. The Revenue Commissioners may add a further €1 billion to that windfall. In such circumstances - and given the established linkage between poverty and crime rates - the Government would do society a favour by reversing other cuts.