Tax cuts will not deliver a fairer society

Tax cuts will not solve Ireland’s infrastructure problems, will not improve social services and will not deliver a fairer society.  Government, at the National Economic Dialogue, should take a long-term view and promote the common good by using all available resource to invest in Ireland’s social and physical infrastructure and services. This approach would lay the foundations for Ireland to deal with the many social, economic and demographic challenges it is currently facing and generate social and economic returns for the state.

Social Justice Ireland has again underlined the need for Government to take a long-term approach now, by investing in the social infrastructure and services which will pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future for our children, and our grandchildren.  It is essential that Government decisions protect the more vulnerable in society, by investing effectively to tackle issues such as child poverty, elder care and the growing urban/rural divide.

According to Government the objective of the National Economic Dialogue is “to facilitate an open and inclusive exchange on the competing economic and social priorities facing the Government” in advance of the Budget in October

Ireland needs to plan to meet future challenges and demands in areas such as childcare, education, healthcare and eldercare.  As a policy objective, Ireland should collect a level of taxation capable of adequately supporting the country’s economic, social and infrastructural requirements now and into the future. The current low-tax model is not sustainable and the current Government projections for taxation revenue are unrealistic.

As a result of Ireland’s improving economic outlook, there are expectations that general taxes should be reduced, but Social Justice Ireland warns that the decisions we take today, will have a marked impact on the Ireland of the future. Key questions need to be addressed: What level of services should we expect? How much do we need to invest in Healthcare? Education? Public Transport? Correct decisions on these questions might not bear fruit immediately, but would make a huge difference to society in the future – and it is these decisions that we need to make today.

Ireland currently faces key choices that will shape its future. If the correct choices are made Ireland could move towards becoming a country characterised by justice, fairness and the improving wellbeing of all its people.  This requires Government to take a long-term view and make its decisions on this basis.

The time to make the right decisions is now