Working families are being left worse off by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil- mini-Budget now
Working families are being left worse off by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil- mini-Budget now - The Labour Party
Labour’s finance spokesperson Ged Nash TD has urged Government to introduce an emergency mini-Budget to support PAYE workers through the cost of living crisis that is worsening under Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Questioning Minister McEntee during Leaders’ Questions today, Deputy Nash said the message from this Government to ordinary working people has been clear: “you’re on your own”.
Deputy Nash said:
“Rather than knuckling down and introducing relief for PAYE workers, this Government has spent the week engaging in sham fights over college fees.
“Money was no object before the votes were counted in November 2024, no vote buying gimmick was too madcap not to find its way into that year’s Budget in a transparent attempt to buy votes with people’s own money.
“But now when people need it most they have been deserted by this Government.
“This afternoon, government will have a chance to show their support for PAYE workers.
“Labour’s motion makes a very clear ask. Do a mini-Budget now, and put up to €1,000 into the pockets of average working families by;
- Indexing bands and credits for PAYE workers back to January
- Bringing in a targeted €400 energy credit for households on under €80,000
- Introduce a €100 groceries supplement to combat high prices at the checkout
- And end the doubling of the school transport fees for primary school age children
“Even before Trump and Israel’s war on Iran, the ESRI, in it’s post-Budget analysis, said working families would be 2% poorer this year, with those who depend on the State for all their income twice as far behind.
“In the absence of a mini-Budget, it won’t be Ireland that will be going nuclear – it will be Irish workers hit with high costs and no sign of relief.
“This Government is wed to providing economically stupid tax breaks for fast food chains and to subsidise the bank balances of developers against all the advice. Tonight they get one more chance to be on the side of working people and support Labour’s mini-Budget proposals.”