Sligo Councillor says Fine Gael stance on refusing increases to jobseekers will divide society

A Sligo Councillor has strongly criticised Fine Gael over report that the party is opposing weekly welfare hikes for jobseekers.  It was reported by the Irish Independent that Fine Gael were not in favour of granting the same increases as those for pensioners and the disabled in the Budget.   There is speculation that the moves are likely to cause tensions with Coalition partners Fianna Fáil, who currently hold the Social Protection portfolio.  It's understood that Fine Gael are against what it sees a rewarding of people 'who refuse to work Nearly 48,000 people have been on the dole for a year or longer and the party believes they should receive lower weekly increases to incentivise them to work.   Sligo based, People Before Profit Councillor, Gino O Boyle says such moves will cause division within society