what lobby groups want from the budget...
Stamp duty, SUVs and subdued spending have been the focus of this year's fevered pre-budget speculation. But lobby groups, representative bodies and others who wanted to make their voices heard had a much broader mix of laudable aims, self-interested pleas and ideological battlegrounds to expand upon in their pre-Budget submissions.
IBEC
Title: Delivery through Enterprise
Pages: 24
Executive summary:The employers' group wants to see inflationary pressure alleviated and public-sector pay restrained. Full indexation of tax bands and credits should be given priority, while there should be no major changes to PRSI.
Common cause:Affordable childcare. Ibec proposes that a voucher system be targeted at low- and middle-income families with more than one child.
Another thing:budget 2008 should provide "fiscal incentives" for teleworking and practices that ease peak-time traffic congestion.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Title: A Reforming Budget for All Citizens
Pages: 39
Top request:"Strong, coherent supports" for working families; longer maternity and paternity leave; paid parental leave; tax credits for childcare; and an end to the discriminatory treatment of same-sex and cohabiting couples. It wants a combined €450 increase in the personal and employee tax credit and the standard rate tax band increased by €4,000.
Collective concern:It is among those in favour of higher vehicle registration tax (VRT) for SUVs and other "gas guzzlers".
Long shot:It is seeking the re-introduction of the bank levy.
Construction Industry Federation
Title: Partnership Delivers
Pages: 13
Primary foundations:The top rate of stamp duty of 9 per cent "kills the goose which laid the golden egg" and should be cut to 5 per cent to restore confidence in the housing market. Mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers should be linked to interest rates.
Common cause:Like Ibec, the federation is keen that the National Development Plan (NDP) be fully resourced and delivered on time.
Wishful thinking:The standard rate of income tax should be cut to 18 per cent to manage inflationary costs.
Irish Exporters' Association
Title: Re-investing in the Export Industry for Competitive
Growth
Pages: 24
Key focus:"Irish exports peaked in 2002," is the rather downbeat first sentence in this submission, which begs the Minister for Finance not to introduce any additional taxes or indirect charges that will add to inflationary pressures.
Popular plea:The association would like to see the tax treaty network extended and changes to how intellectual property and foreign dividends are taxed.
Outside chance:Cork Airport's development-stunting loan should be written off by the exchequer.
Combat Poverty
Title: Mainstreaming Poverty and Social Exclusion
Pages: 16
Essential measures:Increasing all welfare benefits by at least €20 a week, while the fuel allowance should be increased to €22 a week for welfare recipients. The body also seeks higher tax credits for older workers, a VAT rebate for low-income families on a range of essential items, a "no-frills" bank account free of Government levies and tax incentives for employers to train low-skilled and unskilled workers.
Common sense:Low-income workers should remain exempt from income tax.
Remote possibility:The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment should introduce a once-off "preparing for interview" allowance of €150.
The Irish Software Association
Title: none
Pages: 12
Main grievance:Irish software companies often win business in the public sector - in other countries. At home, they are restricted by turnover requirements in the public procurement process. The body wants to see an easing of these rules, as well as a weighting given to large companies who subcontract to smaller firms.
Shared belief:Like the Irish Taxation Institute, the association is calling for reform of tax credits for research and development.
Shot in the dark:Maths and science teachers should be "incentivised financially".
Pre-budget submissions are available to read at ireland.com/focus/budget2008.
