Budget

Minimum social welfare rates should increase by €7 in Budget 2021

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Government should increase in core social welfare rates of €7 per week in Budget 2021 and set a three-year target for Government to reach the benchmark of 27.5 per cent of average earnings. In the forthcoming Budget Government should also complete the equalisation of Jobseeker’s rates for young people under 26, introduce a cost of disability allowance and introduce a universal state pension.

Budget 2021 must address healthcare inequalities

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

People should be assured of the required treatment and healthcare in their times of illness and vulnerability. The standard of care available is dependent to a great degree on the resources made available, which in turn are dependent on the expectations of society. Covid-19 put an unprecedented strain on our healthcare system, however the systemic issues and overreliance on acute services which dominated the Irish healthcare infrastructure pre-Covid only served to exacerbate the problem.

Rural and Regional Investment – priorities for Budget 2021

Monday, 27 July 2020

As we navigate through the global crisis caused by Covid-19, it is clear that our communities, rural areas and regions will bear a significant social and economic impact over the long-term. Here we outline rural and regional investment priorities for Budget 2021.

Investment in Housing must be prioritised in Budget 2021

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

The provision of adequate and appropriate accommodation should be a key element of a new Social Contract. Here we look at how Budget 2021 could begin the process of a new, sustainable, housing strategy.

Investment in our Environment and a Just Transition – priorities for Budget 2021

Monday, 20 July 2020

As we look towards the future and rebuilding our society and our economy we have the opportunity to ensure that our investment strategy reduces carbon emissions, creates a vibrant society and economy, and supports a just transition. Here we outline investment priorities for Budget 2021.

World's poorest should not be sacrificed in Budget 2021

Friday, 17 July 2020

Though Ireland faces a number of significant challenges, it is important to remember that hundreds of millions of people in much poorer countries face a far worse situation. Budget 2021 should at least maintain the nominal financial amount of overseas aid, and - given the inevitable fall in GNI* - could even be used as an opportunity to make inroads on Ireland's UN target.

Investment in Community and Voluntary Sector must be a priority in Budget 2021

Wednesday, 15 July 2020

The cuts to funding for the Community and Voluntary sector made during the last recession have yet to be restored. Covid-19 has again highlighted the importance of communities. This support must now be formally recognised in Budget 2021 with investment in programmes that support community engagement; deal with deficit demand; tackle social exclusion; and sustain communities.

Investment in Education – priorities for Budget 2021

Monday, 13 July 2020

Education is widely recognised as crucial to the achievement of our national objectives of economic competitiveness, social inclusion, and active citizenship. However, the levels of public funding for education in Ireland are out of step with these aspirations. Here we outline priority areas for investment in education in Budget 2021.

Budget 2021 and Social Welfare Rates

Monday, 13 July 2020

This paper makes proposals regarding the need to increase current social welfare rates and set a pathway to indexation to 27.5 per cent of average weekly earnings in Budget 2021. It also reviews t

Budget should focus on employment, services and infrastructure

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

The primary focus of Budget 2021 and 2022 should be on increasing employment and delivering infrastructure and services, NOT on reducing the deficit; it is crucially important that we do not repeat the mistakes made following the last crash. The new Government should outline a three-year stabilisation programme targeted at supporting incomes, restoring domestic demand, and sustaining strategic firms and institutions. This will require a change to Ireland’s fiscal stance in the years immediately ahead.