Government must salvage Partnership at pre- Budget consultation meeting

21 Sep 2000

Tomorrow's (22/9/00) meeting between Social Partners, on the how pre - Budget consultation will proceed, has been flagged by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) as the crucial test of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Camille Loftus spokeswoman for the INOU said " Meaningful pre - Budget consultation is essential if Government is to deliver on Partnership commitments to people on low incomes. Tomorrow's meeting will be the real test of the Governments commitment to the PPF.

"The Programme promises to address ' the needs of people on low incomes by providing for significant improvements in their living standards'. To date this has not happened. The crippling effect of inflation on social welfare payments has left thousands of people worse off in real terms now, than they were when the deal was brokered. We have the 'Prosperity', it's time to deliver on the 'Fairness' side of this agreement.

"The December 1999 Budget posed a serious threat to the stability of the Partnership negotiations. The Government has the opportunity to salvage Partnership by guaranteeing real pre - Budget consultation tomorrow."

ENDS.

For further information contact:
Camille Loftus 01 856 0088 (w) / 01 491 0525 (h)
Noeleen Hartigan,Press Officer 01 856 0088 (w) / 087 61 67689