End of austerity for highest earners but not for low-paid – say Mandate Trade Union

Mandate Trade Union has criticised Budget 2015 saying it is a highly regressive Budget which redistributes wealth from the lowest paid to the highest earners.

Mandate General Secretary John Douglas said, “The highest earners are the winners from this Budget and quite clearly the income from water charges has been distributed to the top earners in the economy. This is highly unfair.

“A worker earning €70,000 per year will be better off to the tune of €746, however a low-paid worker on €15k has only been compensated by €115. It’s important to point out that’s before water charges have been paid meaning low-paid workers are subsidizing top earners and will be worse off. To claim this is the end of austerity is disingenuous at best.”

Mr Douglas also pointed out that investment in social housing is totally inadequate and will take more than 30 years to clear waiting lists at the current rate.

“They’ve invested €2.2 billion in social housing or 2,500 units for 2015. It seems government isn’t fully aware of the extent of the housing crisis. For those on the public housing waiting lists this simply isn’t good enough.”

Mr Douglas said the Budget was a missed opportunity. “The €405 million giveaway from income tax changes to top earners alone could have been used to implement refundable tax credits – which would’ve benefited 240,000 low paid workers.

“Instead the political choice was to look after the highest earners which is extremely disappointing.”

Mr Douglas concluded by saying water charges remain the top political issue with 800,000 workers – or 40 percent of the workforce – not being able to avail of water tax credits.