Opposition set out alternative proposals

OPPOSITION parties generally look for more generous budgets, whatever the economic circumstances, and Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil are following this pattern as both have launched alternative budget proposals, which they say would reduce hardship.

 

Sinn Féin’s alternative budget would concentrate on increasing taxes, rather than cutting spending, according to Clare spokesperson, Anne Hayes.

“We would make up the €3.5 billion through €2.745bn in taxes and €1.044bn in savings in public spending,” she claimed.

Ms Hayes claimed the party would put most of the burden on high earners. “Our plan would see 296,000 people taken out of the USC net, it would reduce excise on fuel, the home-help hours that were cut would be reintroduced, it would reduce hospital visit charges, provide free school books and reduce the cost of uniforms.

“On the tax side of it, we would bring in a third income tax rate of 48% on earnings over €100,000, a wealth tax for millionaires, capital gains and acquisitions taxes would increase, we’d standardise discretionary tax reliefs, cap public pay at €100,000 and reduce pay and expenses for TDs and senators. Indeed, many expenses are totally unjustifiable so we would end them completely.”

She was critical of the Government and Fianna Fáil. “They [the Government] plan an ‘adjustment’ of €3.5bn in this budget and judging from past performance that will mean cuts and tax hikes for low and middle-income families. At the same time, they have been giving obscene amounts of money to the banks and bondholders. It’s a far cry from the change they promised during the last election. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil sit on the sidelines claiming they don’t agree with the Government implementing the policies they started.”

Fianna Fáil’s Clare TD Timmy Dooley said under his party’s budget proposals, cuts to home-help hours would be reversed.

“Minister James Reilly’s catastrophic handling of the health budget this year has resulted in the grossly unfair cuts to home-help hours. These cuts target the elderly and the most vulnerable people in Clare and throughout the country.

“Not only are the cuts wrong but they are a false economy. By reducing this vital support for elderly people and those with disabilities, it will inevitably place more pressure on the acute hospital system. It will result in people having to enter into long stay or hospitals because they cannot cope by themselves. By having the home-help service it avoids placing this extra pressure on our already overcrowded hospitals in Clare.

“Fianna Fáil’s budget proposal, which is fully costed, commits to reducing these cuts by investing €10 million in the service. The budget measures also reverse cuts to third-level grants, restore career guidance teachers and provide free GP care for all newborn children from the start of next year,” he stated.