Burton attempting to soften blow of u-turn on social welfare - Cowen

"A paltry attempt to soften the blow of a Government u-turn on protecting social welfare rates," is how Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection Barry Cowen has described the latest comments from Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton. "Minister Burton has again refused to rule out cuts to social welfare payments and attempted to justify future cutbacks by claiming that people on welfare have made a 'lifestyle choice' to stay out of work," he said on Monday, referring to an appearance by Minister Burton on RTE's Morning Ireland on Monday morning when he says she twice refused to answer if she plans to cut social welfare. "Given that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have both made solemn promises to protect social welfare rates, Joan Burton's ongoing refusal to tow this line has caused confusion and concern among welfare recipients," Deputy Cowen said. "I have questioned Minister Burton about this on several occasions and she has made every attempt to fudge the issue and avoid remaining true to her clear election commitment to protect rates," he added. Deputy Cowen said that while the need to continue to root out fraud within the welfare system was necessary, it was also necessary to distinguish between people who refuse to work and those who would do anything to get back to the workplace. "Fianna Fáil supports a tough stance on welfare fraud," he said. "However we recognise that the very last thing that this country needs at this time is to create a stigma around being unemployed. There is no doubt that the vast majority of those in receipt of job seekers payments would jump at the chance of meaningful employment if they had the opportunity." Deputy Cowen said Minister Burton must now concentrate on providing a diverse range of training and employment opportunities so real choices are available to people who are out of work. "She must also come clean for once and for all about her intentions regarding the social welfare cuts instead of leaving those on the live register in a state of confusion and distress," he concluded.