Budget 2015 is a People’s Budget - Costello

14 October 2014

by Cllr Joe Costello

Budget 2015 marks the end of the recession and the beginning of the recovery.  It is the first positive step towards redressing the cuts and the sacrifices that the Irish people endured over many years.

Everybody will benefit from this Budget, and those who suffered most will benefit the most. The partial restoration of the Christmas Bonus, is also particularly welcome  

The priority given to social housing and the construction industry to tackle the homeless and housing crisis, is another crucial measure which will pay long-term dividends.

The increase in child benefit and the reduction in the Universal Social Charge for low and middle income workers will help to lift the burden on those working families who suffered greatly in recent years. 

The new Back to Work Family Dividend scheme will give lone parents and the long-term unemployed families €1,550 per annum per child in additional income to help them return to work.  A total of €1.1 billion will be spent on job activation and job initiatives for young people and other jobseekers to facilitate entry to the workforce. 

The elderly have not been forgotten.  The Living Alone Allowance has been increased to €9 per week for OAPs and people with disabilities.  Pensioners who are 80 years old and older will continue to receive an extra €10 per week.  At the same time the Free Travel scheme is fully maintained, as is the electricity and gas allowance and the free TV licence. 

The thorny issue of water charges has been addressed in this Budget, which refocuses on water services and water conservation.  Households in employment will receive income tax relief worth €100 per household per annum.  Likewise, the 415,000 households on the Household Benefits Package and the 238,000 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance will benefit from an increase of €100 per  towards  their water costs.

Small and medium sized businesses, the lifeblood of our economy, will also receive a wide range of supports to grow their businesses. 

This is a comprehensive budget.  There is something good for everyone in it.  It endeavours to share the benefits of an improving economy with long-suffering people who grow that economy.  It is a people’s Budget.