The government has a moral obligation to protect the most vulnerable in the forthcoming budget, older people’s charity Age Action has said.
At the launch of its pre-budget submission today, the advocacy group said the government had a very real obligation to protect its most vulnerable citizens, by ensuring that any changes in policy or spending do not hurt those who cannot take any more hardship.
“While we raise specific concerns like the threat to cut social welfare payments, it is the aggregate effect of all budget measures that will either hurt or protect older people,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said.
Meanwhile, Social Justice Ireland has said the government must take an integrated approach to tackling the country’s current problems if the budget is to succeed in protecting the vulnerable.
Fr Seán Healy, director of Social Justice Ireland, will today call on the Government not to reduce social welfare rates in the forthcoming budget when he addresses the Pre-Budget Forum organised by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Mary Hanafin, TD.
Representatives from more than 30 voluntary and advocacy groups will make pre-Budget submissions relating to social welfare schemes at a special session in St Andrews Resource Centre in Dublin’s Pearse Street today.
"As we face into the Budget, I will be looking to minimise the impact of any changes to the greatest possible degree, however the current economic reality means that some areas of expenditure will have to be reduced," Minister Hanafin said.