A NUMBER OF other budgetary measures have come in for renewed scrutiny and criticism following the Government's major concessions on medical cards for over-70s and on the 1 per cent income levy.
The Opposition and interest groups have called for reversals in a range of Budget-day decisions, including the introduction of new parking levies, cuts in the agriculture sector, social welfare adjustments and reductions in the budget for people with disabilities.
Fine Gael has claimed that the new €200 levy for parking spaces in major urban centres is a "fiasco" that will be unworkable. It also has criticised the €8.2 million annual cost of renting car parking spaces for civil servants in Dublin.
Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said yesterday it was now apparent that the Department of Transport had yet to work out how to implement it.
Mr O'Dowd said a reply from Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to a parliamentary question he submitted showed that the plans to implement it were sketchy.
"It calls into question the Government's estimate that this measure will raise €10 million. The Minister must set out how this levy will be implemented, if he will define the areas where it will come into force, and if it will affect civil servants who have their car park spaces rented for them."
On the €8 million spent on renting car space, Mr O'Dowd said: "This is a massive waste of money, yet the Minister has said there are no immediate proposals to change this policy. This whole issue is yet another example of a rushed, ill-thought out policy by this Government. It is essential that they explain the plan so people who are forced to drive to work know where they stand."
Fine Gael has also described as "cowardly" proposals to remove the disability allowance from children aged 16-18 and to replace it with a domiciliary care allowance.
Labour TD Róisín Shortall also sought clarification on whether the customary bonus payments would be made to social welfare recipients at Christmas. The Government has yet to clarify the status of the bonuses.
Defence Force families have also protested at the decision to close the Army barracks in Longford and transfer the personnel to Athlone, 30 miles away. A bigger demonstration is planned for the weekend.
