Attitude change where someone points out high level of SW payments & are critized?

Nice money if you can get it!

"... figures by Labour Party Senator Jimmy Harte which suggested one unemployed married couple with four children were receiving more than €1,700 a week in payments – more than €90,000 a year – under various schemes."

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I'm confused - if Joan Burton is saying that neither she nor SW/HSE/etc. can get a clear picture on the totality of SW/HSE/other(?) payments in individual cases then how has the Jimmy Harte managed to do this? I can't see any more detailed info anywhere including on his own website. Which reminds me - did anybody ever ascertain the veracity and existence of that ex public servant out west who couldn't afford food never mind his mortgage repayments?
 

Remember that this is tax free - so you'd have to earn a lot more to have this takehome pay.

I can't understand the rationale behind the HSE making welfare payments for some categories of welfare. All payments should be within the SW system.