Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD says his party’s alternative budget would tackle the cost-of-living crisis head-on.
The Sinn Féin ‘Budget for Change’ was launched this week with proposals to “put money back in people’s pockets, reduce the cost of fuel, support renters and shield lower and middle-income households from the impact of inflation”.
Among the measures are double child benefit payments, reduction of excise on petrol and diesel, reduced VAT rates for electricity and gas, reduction of €1,000 to student fees, increased weekly social welfare and pension rates by €15, and €140million expenditure on a Building Defect Redress Scheme.
Speaking at the alternative budget launch on Friday, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty said: “A Sinn Féin Government would support households through the winter months by reducing electricity prices, rolling out cost of living payments to assist with other energy costs and protecting the most vulnerable.
“We have also included measures to provide redress for those affected by defective blocks. An issue that has so deeply affected people in Donegal.
“Among the other measures included in the budget is an increase in social welfare rates and a guaranteeing of the right to retire on a pension at 65.
“In terms of agriculture, we propose increasing funding significantly this year to provide emergency supports to the sector. We have also included an emergency crisis fund to deal with the problems facing the marine and seafood sector.
“Given the soaring cost of fuel currently, unlike the government, Sinn Féin would also not proceed with further hikes in carbon tax.
“In 2023, we would deliver an income tax package, put money back in people’s pockets, reduce the cost of fuel, support renters and shield lower and middle-income households from the impact of inflation. Sinn Féin would give workers and families a break.”
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said: “Our fully costed proposals are about making different political choices to this government. We are prioritising those on middle and low incomes and a younger generation locked out of opportunity.
We cannot continue to see a rehashing of old tired policies that have failed for 20 years. We need fresh ideas and a change of direction. That is what Sinn Féin’s budget is about.”
View the ‘Budget for Change’ in full at: https://site.sinnfein.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SinnFeinBudget2023.pdf
