Deputy Brid Smith has called on the Government and Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar to return all social welfare payments to 2009 levels.

The AAA/PBP TD has said that the cuts have inflicted massive damage on local communities.

She says young people have been particularly affected and the lower rate of jobseeker payments for those under 26 is a matter which must be urgently addressed.

Ms Smith said: “It’s a serious equality issue, not just a question of the cuts.

“Literally, depending on your age you are being treated totally differently by the system, so we see it as an equality issue and age discrimination.”