Workers Solidarity Movement

The government plans to force disabled individuals into work. It is set to consider new proposals that would see those receiving Disability Allowance being assessed on their ability to work and forced to work if they are deemed by a government official able to enter full time employment.

This new round of attacks on the most vulnerable in our society have recently been sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe. The new report which was given to Mr Donohoe last night  (23 May) suggests that disability allowances should be slashed in order to cut down on what they call ''welfare dependency'' - a fancy way of construing that some people, who are extremely vulnerable in our society, simply cannot go into paid employment.

A recent report in the UK found that after similar proposals were accepted that over 2300 people extra weere found dead. Statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed that during the period December 2011 and February 2014 2,380 people died after their claim for employment and support allowance (ESA) ended because a work capability assessment (WCA) found they were found fit for work, largely by suicide.

These plans by the new government should be viewed as a continuation of the EU imposed austerity, which our 'dear leaders' have readily and happily accepted to the detriment of the overwhelming majority of the population. As this vicious class war onslaught continues against ordinary, hard pressed individuals and families millions have been given away to Irish Water officials in the form of pensions and salaries and to private companies on 'consultancy fees' - this is during a time when the country is in the throes of one of the worst recessions and a period of government imposed cuts it has ever seen.

If these proposals are accepted by the government and we allow them to enforced we can expect that a similar trend will occur in Ireland.