Mary Hanafin has said the decision to scrap Christmas bonus payments for Social Welfare recipients was probably the hardest one the Government had to make in the supplementary Budget.
Minister for Social & Family Affairs said she accepted that its scapping would be 'very difficult' for those affected. She also said the Government regretted having to make these difficult decisions.
Speaking in the Dáil last night, Labour's Róisín Shortall described the cut as savage, while party colleague Seán Sherlock said it was miserly and mean.
The Dáil debate on the Social Welfare Bill is due to conclude today.
