Make a commitment to oppose further cuts in welfare and minimum wage.

In the 'Croke Park Agreement' the Government offers a commitment to civil servants that they will face no further cuts in their wages in 2011. However, despite repeated questions the Government is unable to offer those on the lowest incomes the same assurance.

Ireland's economic crisis has required most sectors of our society to face cutbacks and get by on lower incomes. .Despite repeated commitments from all sides that Ireland would 'protect the vulnerable', those who live on the lowest incomes have already taken a very substantial part of the burden:

• very many of those on lowest incomes have suffered the enormous loss of losing their jobs
• many others are working reduced hours or at lower rates of pay
• all social welfare payments were cut by 5% in January 2010: for an unemployed couple with two children this meant a drop of €13.60 a week, leaving them a weekly income of €477 per week. This is €44 per week or 8% below the poverty line.

We know that there are more cuts on the way. The Poor Can't Pay is looking for a recognition that those on the lowest incomes in Irish society have already been asked to carry more than their fair share of the burden and their incomes should not be cut further.

The Poor Can't Pay argues that the same commitment that the Government has offered to civil servants can and must be made to those who depend upon the social welfare system to survive.

We are asking you to make a personal commitment that you will do everything in your power to ensure that those on the lowest incomes are protected from the next round of cutbacks.

For details of how the 2009 Budget drove already hard pressed individuals and families further into poverty and hardship see How The Poor Were Made To Pay