INISHOWEN is today
counting the cost of Budget 2014.
There has been particular reaction to the targeting
of younger and older welfare recipients in the
country's seventh austerity budget. Today's budget
contained a total of €2.5billion in cuts and taxes.
Independent Donegal South West T.D., Deputy Thomas
Pringle described it as "an outright attack" on
those who rely on supports the most for a decent
standard of living.
“The young and the old have been targeted in a
massive way today. Young people who are unemployed
are being dealt a massive blow with a Jobseekers’
Allowance cut to a measly €100 a week.
"While between the scrapping of the telephone
allowance, the raising of the prescription charge to
€2.50 and the changes to the criteria for medical
cards for those over 70, I think it’s fair to say
that the elderly are the biggest losers in Budget
2014," he said.
“On top of that, expectant mothers have been hit
again this time with a standardised payment on top
of the taxation of the payment that was introduced
last year.
Savers, including small savers, have been hit by the
DIRT increase to 41% and the reduction in
Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Rent Allowance
by changing eligibility will hit another vulnerable
group."
Meanwhile, Age Action warned that Budget 2014 would
cause "increased hardship for the most vulnerable of
older people".
“The housebound, those living alone, and the sickest
and poorest of older people will be hardest hit by
today’s measures,” said spokesman Eamon Timmins.
“We are greatly concerned that our warnings during
the pre-Budget consultation process have not been
listened to and that measures which specifically
affect the most vulnerable of older people have been
introduced.”
Some of today's main points:
- 30,000 pensioners to lose full medical card
- Lower €100 dole rate extended to under-25s.
- Free GP care for under fives
- DIRT tax on savings rises to 41%
- Pensioners' €9.50 phone allowance axed
- Prescription charges rise by €1 to €2.50
- 50c on wine, beer and cigarettes |
