The majority of the cuts and tax increases in Budget 2012 “disproportionately target families and the poorer elements of society”, making it one of the most “anti-family” budgets in living memory.
This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish who believes the Budget will hit families with children the most.
He cited the cuts in child benefit, increase in school transport costs, increase in the student registration fee for third level, the reduction in the Back to Education Allowance, and the increase in the minimum contribution under the Drugs Payment Scheme as evidence of this.
“When this is coupled with a new household tax, water charges, septic tank fees, increases in car tax, and increase in the higher rate of VAT, we have a situation whereby families will be forced into poverty,” he warned.
Dep Grealish said many families are “struggling to make ends meet” and they “cannot afford to pay any additional bills or to cope with reductions in basic social welfare entitlements”.
Dep Grealish was also concerned by the “hidden cuts” in Budget 2012, particularly in terms of eligibility for Widows and State Contributory Pensions, “both of which seem to penalise women and were skimmed over in the Budget cuts yesterday”.
“Most people will only become aware of these changes when they apply for these benefits,” he said, “and at that stage it will be too late to change eligibility.”
