Sinn Féin target living costs in 13.4 billion euro alternative budget

Sinn Féin has launched its alternative budget, aimed at addressing living costs caused by an “out-of-touch Government”.

As part of its 13.4 billion euro package, Sinn Féin said it would not proceed with carbon tax increases, introduce a permanent 10 cent reduction in petrol and diesel and extend excise cuts for another six months.

The party has also restated its commitment to abolish the universal social charge (USC) for every worker on the first 40,000 euro they earn, and introduce a cost of disability payment.

“Ordinary people simply can’t afford another budget from an out-of-touch government that leaves them behind again,” party leader Mary Lou McDonald said at the launch of the alternative budget in Dublin.

“The simple truth is that under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, life has become too expensive.

“Prices keep going up, and the bills keep rolling in.

“People are working hard, doing all of the right things, and still find it impossible to stay on top of things.

“The pressure is enormous.”

In its 40-page document, entitled Putting Workers And Families First, the party also proposed 400 euro energy credits, childcare for 10 euro a day and a 500 euro voucher for grocery bills for over a million households.

The party says its plan will put money back in people’s pockets and bring down the cost of energy bills.

“We’re heading into the winter with record number of households who simply can’t pay their electricity and their gas bills, and Ireland has some of the highest electricity bills in Europe,” Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesman said.

“One in four households can’t pay their gas bills in what is one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

“The most effective way to help them immediately is through direct support.

“It would make a real difference to families struggling with day-to-day expenses.

“These are the type of ambitious interventions needed to help families cope with the rising cost of living.”

Sinn Féin’s alternative budget proposes 10.1 million euro in new measures.

It includes provisions for students, like abolishing third-level fees and apprenticeship fees entirely, increasing SUSI maintenance grants by 20% and a back-to-school clothing allowance for all families.

The 13.4 billion package exceeds the expected spend in Budget 2027 by almost 5 million euro, 57.6% higher than the 8.5 billion euro expected from the Government.

The party would look at “tax loopholes that the government has created”, like taxing vulture funds to fund the big budget.

Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan said it would “blow up the country’s financial reserves”.

“Europe’s longest serving Opposition Finance spokesperson Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty is rehashing his old Budget lines for the 17th time and proposing 21 separate tax increases on hard working families,” he said.

“As opposed to learning lessons from any of their previous Budgets and failed recent elections, Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty continue to propose reckless economics which will lead the country to rack and ruin.”