A COALITION of NGOs has accused the Government of taking money out of the pockets of the poor to pay for the excesses of the rich, and urged it to protect vulnerable people in December’s budget.
In a briefing paper published yesterday, the 17 members of the community and voluntary pillar within social partnership said vulnerable people should not be “sacrificed for budget stabilisation”.
“It is very clear to us [that] vulnerable people and people experiencing discrimination and inequality have already been severely affected by cutbacks on much needed services and supports,” spokesman Ivan Cooper said.
“These people, who had no hand act or part in creating the current economic downturn, are paying too high a price in Government plans for recovery,” he said.
The group proposed a recovery strategy, which would increase the tax take; secure better value for money in the delivery of public services; reform the public sector, and target spending for the common good. It is based on two principles: people who can afford to should contribute more to the recovery, and vulnerable people must not pay the price of recovery.
Dr Seán Healy, director of Social Justice Ireland, said Ireland’s total tax take was one of the lowest in the developed world, at 29.4 per cent of GDP. “The implications for our public services will be severe if this low-tax approach is maintained,” said Dr Healy.