Committee report on social welfare must be enacted

Fianna Fáil Galway West General Election candidate Gráinne Seoige has vowed to reform Ireland's "outdated and punitive" social welfare means testing criteria to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Seoige said she will work to implement the recommendations of the Committee for Social Protection's recent report on Means Testing in the Social Welfare System if elected to the next Dáil.

The report, which was authored with significant input from Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív as Rapporteur for the Committee, aims to make means testing for welfare payments fairer for individuals and families in need.

"The report is a vital step towards a more compassionate and equitable welfare system," Seoige said.

"The current means-testing framework can be punitive. It penalises many communities where people rely heavily on social welfare to meet basic needs. In Galway, areas such as Westside, Ballybane, Mervue, and Connemara in Co Galway are particularly affected.

"By reforming these outdated policies, such as the need to undergo repetitive means testing for various payments, we can create a fairer system that provides real security for vulnerable people."

Seoige added that it was "complete madness" that under the current system adults with lifelong disabilities can easily lose their Disability Allowance if they receive inheritance.

The report highlights that means testing often discourages recipients from pursuing work due to overly high deduction rates that effectively trap people in poverty.

The proposed reforms would limit means assessments to a maximum of 50% of earned income and, over time, reduce this to 30%, providing a stronger incentive to seek employment and save.

"These changes are especially crucial for Galway City areas like Westside and Ballybane, where households are disproportionately affected by welfare penalties," she said.

Seoige added: "This report wouldn't exist without Éamon Ó Cuív's tireless commitment to social justice. If elected, I am committed to championing these reforms and making them a reality, so that people can live with dignity and Galway's communities can thrive without the fear of losing vital supports."

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