The Government will be judged by the Irish people on its ability in the forthcoming budget to balance social as well as economic challenges, for the overall cohesion of the Irish State, says the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.In its Pre-budget Submission entitled ‘Give Hope – Protect the Vulnerable’ the Society says that the December budget will show the Government’s true intent in tackling serious economic and social problems in a fair and just way, ensuring that those who can afford more will contribute more.
“We are deeply concerned at the prospect of how further cuts will impact not just on people living on social welfare payments but also the many households just above the threshold for State benefits,” said Mairead Bushnell, National President of SVP. “We know that an ever increasing number of people in Ireland are finding it difficult to afford a basic standard of living because our 9,500 volunteers are meeting them week in and week out,” she said.
The Society has experienced an alarming increase in calls for assistance this year, with an average increase of over 35 per cent compared to 2009. Even more worrying is that one in four of all calls received is from someone who has never sought help from the Society previously. Nearly half of calls received across the country concern the basic essentials; food and fuel.
“Sadly the majority of those we are helping; lone parents, poor families and those in long term poverty are the people SVP has had a long history of assisting, their relationship with us predates the economic boom. They have recently been joined by many others who are struggling to make ends meet, particularly the self-employed and small business owners who have lost their income,” said Mairead Bushnell
The Society says that revenue raising should be done in a fair way and supports the Commission on Taxation with regard to ending tax loopholes and reliefs for the wealthy, applying PRSI and levies on all income and placing an emphasis on reform of the public service with better value for money. The SVP is also asking for the recommendation on tax relief on charitable donations be implemented in full.
Speaking at the launch John Monaghan, SVP, National Vice-President said, “Options for the Government to make savings, in order to protect the vulnerable, would be to reduce the tax relief on pension contributions to 30 per cent, support a drive to eliminate welfare fraud and reduce the cost of Government and State related services – Energy – Waste – etc.”.
Ms Bushnell said, “We appreciate that it’s not just low-income families that have been hit by the recession, but there is a real feeling of dread and fear amongst those we work with on a daily basis. It’s the fear that what little they have to survive will be cut further. We’re asking the Government to give some hope by protecting the most vulnerable.”
The Society is calling for a range of services to be protected across Social Welfare, Education, Health and Housing.
Social Welfare
Under Social Welfare the Society is calling for a reduction in the minimum hours requirement for eligibility to Family Income Supplement for a set period of time, too enable individuals who have seen their employment hours cut, to remain in work rather than having to leave work altogether and become wholly reliant on a social welfare payment. It also says that social welfare rates must be maintained and the real value of the Qualified Child Increase be sustained to ensure that families with children dependant on social welfare are protected. “The elimination of the Christmas Bonus last year was a dreadful blow to families and individuals and it should be reinstated”, said John Monaghan.
The Society also says that there is extreme poverty among asylum seekers and their children and calls for an increase in the Direct Provision weekly payment, currently €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child, and to have migrants who are awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a refusal of a social welfare payment restored to access to the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
The Society is critical of the Government who, despite explict commitments, has not compenstated the poorest households affected by the carbon tax. This lack of action together with the 5 per cent increase in energy costs recently introduced means more low-income families are being pushed into energy poverty.
Education
In the area of Education the SVP seeks to safeguard spending on education at all levels in the interests of our long term viability and cohesion as a society and economy. It specifically seeks funding for the establishment of effective book rental schemes with sufficient numbers of key text books. “Our preference is for a national scheme”, said John Monaghan.
Health
The SVP says that the continued rise in health costs affects those who can least afford to pay the most and seeks that the Medical Card scheme retains its core principle of looking after those who cannot afford to pay for their own health care. It also calls for the current levels of service be maintained in key community care disciplines, in particular Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, where intervention at the right time is critical, particularly for children. And it says that the 50 cent charge per prescription item, introduced in October, for people on a full medical card should be discontinued.
Homelessness
The national strategy The Way Home: A Strategy to address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013 continues to serve as the way to end homelessness but requires the provision of adequate funding for move-on and prevention. The SVP very much welcomes the explicit commitment made by Minister Gormley to keep the homeless budget at its 2010 level.
Social housing
While SVP does not see the Rent Supplement Scheme as the appropriate and best value mechanism for housing those in need, it urges Government to seriously consider the Comptroller and Auditor General’s analysis of leasing proposals; acquire appropriate empty housing units for long term social housing (local authority and voluntary housing) including units under NAMA and support the building of social housing in locations of need but where appropriate empty housing units do not exist
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