Robbing the poor to pay the rich

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday December 19, 2008 22:21 by newsmedia - newsmedianews

The Irish government has again turned to taking money off the poor to fund the rich.

This week thousands of people in receipt of rent allowance received letters from the Health Services Executive informing them that their weekly rent allowance is to be reduced by €5 starting 5 January.

"Currently the minimum weekly contribution paid by you is €13.00, but with Budget 2009 changes the minimum contribution from 5th January 2009 will be €18.00 per week," the letter stated.

The cut is equal to an annual reduction of €260. Not a lot, some might argue, but for those living already on a strapped budget, the cut will bring increased hardship. It is also unfair on those in receipt of disability, invalidity or sickness benefits.