merrion street

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton today hosted a pre-Budget Forum to give voluntary and community organisations the opportunity to make pre-Budget submissions relating to social welfare schemes. The Forum was held in Dublin's St Andrew's Resource Centre.

In her opening remarks to the groups at the Forum, Minister Burton said:

While the economic and fiscal crisis in Ireland and further afield make the headlines almost every day, I am very much aware that there are many real human stories behind these headlines. Unfortunately the reality is that expenditure will have to be further reduced in the forthcoming Budget.

I firmly believe that the burden of these reductions must be shared fairly across all sectors of society, from the top down. I want to reassure the groups here today, who represent those who have been most affected by this crisis, that the importance of protecting the most vulnerable in society is a priority for me, as Minister for Social Protection, and for my colleagues in Government.

This year the Department of Social Protection will spend in the region of €20.62 billion, 39% of all current Government expenditure. 

Over 30 groups were invited to attend the Forum, representing older people, people with disabilities, lone parents, children, unemployed people, carers and family support groups.

Minister Burton concluded by emphasising that at this stage no decisions have been made in relation to social welfare measures for the next Budget and she thanked the organisations for taking the time to meet with her today.

Watch the Minister's comments to MerrionStreet at the pre-Budget Forum below...