INOU launch Pre Budget Submission
15 Nov 2001
Embargo 11.15am Friday, 16th November.
The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has today (16/11/01) launched their pre-Budget Submission "Investing in People and Jobs". The submission calls for a £14 per week increase in basic social welfare payments, medical card coverage for all children under 18, an increase in tax credits to take minimum wage workers out of the tax net, and investment in training and education for unemployed people and low skilled workers.
Presenting the submission to delegates at the INOU's Annual Conference today General Secretary, Tony Monks, said " It is clear that this Government has failed to grasp the opportunity to tackle poverty presented by the prosperity of recent years. This Budget is their last opportunity to turn that situation around and use national fiscal policy to build a fairer society. The current economic slowdown must not be used as an excuse to further marginalise the poor."
He warned that the Budget cannot be framed in isolation from the Government's review of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy which is in it's final stages. "A key component of any credible anti poverty strategy will be the level of income it provides to those who have least. Budget 2002 is the opportunity for this Government to make realistic anti- poverty targets and act on them."
Commenting on the economic downturn and the rise in job losses across the country Mr. Monks said, "Infrastuctural investments outlined in the National Development Plan must continue to be made if lost jobs are to be replaced, and if Ireland is to be in a position to benefit when the international economy picks up. The Government should be prepared to borrow in this budget, if necessary, in order to keep the NDP on track."
Key Demands in the INOU' s submission :
* Increase the lowest social welfare payment by £14p.w.
* Increase personal tax credits by £600, which will be sufficient to lift single earners on the minimum wage, at £5 per hour, out of the tax net.
* Increase Child Benefit by £35 per month for the first and second child, and £40 per month for the third and subsequent children.
* Extend medical card coverage to all children under 18
* Establish a major new programme to provide access to quality accredited training for those in low skilled employment.
Over 100 delegates from INOU affiliated organisations throughout the country attended today's conference. The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese addressed the conference at 12 noon.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tony Monks, General Secretary
01 856 0088 / 087 249 6066
Noeleen Hartigan, Welfare to Work Co-ordinator
01 856 0088/ 087 61 67 689
