ANALYSIS:VOTERS ARE strongly opposed to key elements of the Government's budgetary policy, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.
The survey also indicates considerable opposition to the broad policy thrust, endorsed by the EU-IMF-ECB troika, to place the emphasis on spending cuts rather than tax increases.
Asked for their views on whether the Coalition had struck the right balance in focusing two-thirds of the necessary savings on cuts and one-third on tax increases, just 18 per cent of voters answered Yes.
By contrast, 29 per cent said the emphasis should be on increasing tax, 13 per cent opted for more cuts, 18 per cent said there should be neither and 23 per cent had no opinion.
The best-off AB voters are most supportive of Government policy, with the poorest DE category most opposed.
In age terms the over-65s are most opposed, with the highest support for extra taxes and the lowest for spending cuts coming from this group.
In party terms Fine Gael voters are by far the strongest supporters of Government policy while Sinn Féin supporters are the most opposed.
When it comes to specific policies there is strong opposition to the plan to introduce a property tax next year. And a majority also opposes planned water charges.
When asked for their views concerning a property tax, 66 per cent said it was a bad idea, 28 per cent said it was a good idea and 6 per cent had no view.
Better-off AB voters are easily the most supportive of a property tax, with the poorest DE voters the most strongly opposed.
There were no great regional differences on the issue. But the youngest 18- to 24-year-old category was the most strongly opposed to a property levy, with the over-65s the most strongly in favour.
Fine Gael voters are considerably more strongly in favour of Government policy on a property tax than Labour voters.
A similar pattern also emerges on water charges in terms of class and party support, although the opposition to this development is not as strong.
The survey revealed that 60 per cent said water charges are a bad idea, with 35 per cent in support and 5 per cent having no opinion.
The best-off are again most supportive of water charges, with poorer people opposed. Surprisingly, perhaps, the youngest 18- to 24-year-old age category is overwhelmingly opposed while older people are the most supportive.
In party terms Fine Gael supporters give solid backing to water charges but Labour voters have a very different view, with a clear majority against.
When asked about the controversial issue of means-testing child benefit payments, a strong majority of respondents emerged in favour.
A massive 71 per cent expressed support for means testing, 18 per cent said it should continue to be paid at the current rate, 8 per cent opted for a reduction and just 2 per cent had no opinion.
There is no significant difference between the opinions of women and men on the topic and no great variation across the different social classes.
People with children who benefit from the current system are marginally more inclined to say the existing rate of child benefit should remain in place. But even in this category 70 per cent would prefer means testing.
In age terms the 18- 24-year-old category is again very much out of step with their elders, with less backing for means testing and far more support for a continuation of the existing system.
In party terms there is a difference between supporters of the Coalition parties, with Labour voters more enthusiastic than Fine Gael supporters for means testing rather than continuing the current rates for all.
Nonetheless, there is strong support among both sets of supporters for means testing.
There is also strong support for reducing or eliminating State support for fee-paying schools and that it should be cut, as suggested by Labour Minister of State for Public Transport Alan Kelly.
Asked if the State funding for the sector should continue at the existing level, 24 per cent said it should, 36 per cent said it should be reduced, 29 per cent said there should be no State funding at all and 11 per cent had no opinion.
The best-off AB voters are most strongly in favour of maintaining the current system of support, although, even in this category, more than 60 per cent back either reducing or eliminating State support. In party terms Fine Gael voters are most strongly in favour of continuing State funding at its present level, but Labour voters are even more opposed to the current system than Sinn Féin supporters.
