The Government should get rid of the State’s 111 tax breaks and protect social welfare in the Budget, it was claimed today.
Campaigner Fr Sean Healy, who heads the newly formed Social Justice Ireland group, called for no cuts to the dole, the minimum wage or child benefits.
Fr Healy criticised the McCarthy report, which suggested €1.85 billion in social welfare cuts, claiming it was flawed because it ignored the social impact they would have.
He said it was both essential and possible to help the vulnerable.
“Ireland is at a critical moment in its development and Government decisions in Budget 2010 will have a huge impact on the future,” Fr Healy said. “It is essential that the vulnerable are protected.”
Detailing Social Justice Ireland’s budget choices, Fr Healy said the priorities should be primary education, primary healthcare, social housing and support for the long-term unemployed.
The group said tax reliefs were worth about €8.4 billion a year.
It also warned the Government that 15.8 per cent of the population is at risk of poverty with incomes below €11,965 for a single person or €27,759 for a household of four.
Almost a third of households at risk of poverty are headed by someone in a job.
“While Ireland should remain a low-tax economy, Irish society cannot expect to have efficient European style public services unless we collect sufficient taxation,” Fr Healy said.
In a five-point plan, Social Justice Ireland said a carbon tax was overdue and necessary and called for an increase in the overall tax take by abolishing tax breaks but warned ministers not to hit child benefit.
It also urged the Government to fight for better value for money and public service reform to make it more people-focused.
In Budget 2010 the Government has vowed to collect an extra €1.75 billion in tax and cut current spending by 1.5 billion euro.
Social Justice Ireland was officially formed last month with Fr Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds. It is carrying on programmes and projects started by Conference of Religious of Ireland.
PA