Over 50% cut in Communion Social Welfare Payments

[Harmonica]

Irish Examiner

The Government is set to slash exceptional needs payments for Communions and Confirmations to thousands of struggling families.

The payment is to be cut from an average of €242 to a maximum of €110 and only for "hardship" cases.

Welfare claimants received an average €242 each in such payments last year, with €3.4m paid to 14,000 claimants, department figures reveal.

How would someone spend €242 on a communion/confirmation & why is the state involved at all? Were some receiving more than €242?

[Tombo]

What a shame. That was only 50% short of an excellent policy.

[MacBeth]

If they just got the church out of public schools these payments wouldn't necessary at all.

[sauntersplash]

Great, they hit the most vulnerable once again...when will the tanning salon owners of this country get a voice?

[Moogie]

You mean you get extra money for being a Catholic? And here's me being an atheist like a mug.

[IrishBrit]

This wasn't in the budget so what is the point of budgets if the government can slash and burn at will?

[Paul Williams]

All against cuts but couldn't give a rats arse about this one.
As someone said a further 50% too go.
State subsidising a religious event that the parents could really care about anyway.
Communion should be done on your own families/churches time, away from school and free of subsidy

[Tomas Mor]

Stretch limousines and horse drawn carriages for a certain clientele will take a hit !

[sauntersplash]

This wasn't in the budget so what is the point of budgets if the government can slash and burn at will?

Sssssshhhh!

The children will hear.

[TheYouthVote]

Surely it's about the sacrament no? The practises and teachings of the Catholic Church devolving into crass materialism? Shocked.