Pringle: FF/FG budgets have no interest in bridging inequality gap

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 16th October 2024

Thomas Pringle - FF and FG budgets have no interest in bridging inequality gap

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael budgets have no interest in bridging the widening inequality gap, saying they “benefit the well off and leave those struggling even further behind”.

Addressing the Dáil on Tuesday evening on the Social Welfare Bill 2024, Deputy Pringle called social welfare increases “wholly inadequate”, and expressed disappointment that a cost of disability payment was not been introduced, that the means test for carers wasn’t scrapped and that Child Benefit hasn’t seen an increase since 2016.

Deputy Pringle said: “As I have previously stated, this year’s budget is really just a lacklustre repeat of last year’s, with very little for the public to truly be hopeful about. It doesn’t offer the long-term, systematic change that is desperately needed in this country. And it certainly doesn’t offer improved access to services.

“This bill is a reflection of that. The bill outlines a few minor increases, but nothing that will make a real or impactful change in people’s lives. Nothing that will help ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis on those who are struggling the most. Nothing that will help end Ireland’s homeless crisis.

“Social Justice Ireland, in their Budget 2025 analysis and critique, have stated that ‘despite vast resources, the Government’s five budgets have been cumulatively regressive.’

“Their analysis shows that a couple with only one earner on €100,000 is better off by €73.35 per week due to the last five budgets, while a couple with only one earner on €30,000 is only better off by €3.34 per week after five budgets.

“I think that’s a shocking indictment of the governments and their budgetary policy,” he said.

The deputy said: “It is clear that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael budgets only look after the wealthy and have no interest in bridging the widening inequality gap.

“Research shows that the rich-poor gap has jumped €23.27 per week as a result of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael budgetary policy and the decision to allocate substantial resources to the wealthy rather than the poorest in our society is not only incredibly unfair, but also extremely cruel.

“Inequality affected all aspects of Irish life, from employment and healthcare to accommodation and education. This Social Welfare Bill will do nothing to address income inequality that is causing poverty and serious social divide in our country.

“Irish society is becoming incredibly fragmented and divided as of late, and this government is doing nothing to address that. Instead, they continue to exacerbate the issue by introducing budgets that benefit the well off and leave those struggling even further behind.

“These social welfare increases are wholly inadequate, and it is disappointing that a cost of disability payment has not been introduced, that the means test for carers hasn’t been scrapped and that Child Benefit hasn’t seen an increase since 2016, despite inflation and significant increases in child poverty and deprivation.

“And that would make real and meaningful change for the benefit of people who are dependent on social welfare payments and dependent on the support of our government and our society to have a decent standard of living, rather than giving payments to benefit the wealthy right across the board in this country.”

He again criticised universal energy credits, saying, “It’s shocking when you see that the government has given an energy credit to us in this House and to many millionaires in this country that can well afford it.”

The deputy said: “Last year the government claimed that it was their mission to tackle child poverty, but this budget makes it clear that this was nothing but another empty promise made by this government during its term.”