Working families to bear Budget brunt - Gilmore

Posted on April 07, 2009 at 08:54 PM

"People who pay for everything are being asked to pay again," Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore said this evening following today's budget speech.

Today's Budget as feared will place an enormous burden on middle-income earners, between massive taxes on gross income, loss of early childcare supplement and loss of mortgage interest relief. Despite the urgent need for action on jobs, there was nothing in the Budget to incentivise new jobs and while the Government has taken on board Eamon's idea of 'Earn and Learn' for short-time workers, there are just 277 places.

In terms of training and job creation the Government's proposals are merely tokenistic. Another Labour initiative the Work Experience Scheme was included, but with only 2000 places! Considering that 26,000 students will graduate this year this proposal has been watered down to a mere drop in the ocean.

We want to hear from you, what do you think of the Budget, how will it hit your household? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Our Labour Spokespersons have issued a number of statements on various aspects of the Budget which are available using the following links or from our media centre.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore - Working families to pay for 12 years of FF

Deputy Joan Burton - Budget is a result of dismal failures of FF policies

Deputy Roisin Shortall - Working families to bear brunt of Budget

Deputy Jan O'Sullivan - Govt finally admits co-location is dead

Deputy Liz McManus - Green Minister fails energy test

Deputy Tommy Broughan - Budget cutbacks a further blow to public transport

Deputy Michael D Higgins - Disproportionate cut in ODA commitments callous

Deputy Ciaran Lynch - Budget means cuts in housing and local services now inevitable

Senator Alex White - Free childcare proposal welcome, questions remain over detail

Senator Alan Kelly - Brian Lenihan: the Grinch who stole Christmas in March

MEP Proinsias De Rossa - Gov irresponsibility burden falls on low income families

Nessa Childers (MEP candidate for Ireland East) - Commuter belt families will be hit hardest by Budget

Tagged with Finance • Budget