Social Welfare Bill enforcing a two tier society – Ellis

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis has said that this Budget was another missed opportunity to move towards a fairer society. And that the intervening weeks have only reinforced that view.

Deputy Ellis said:

“It has become obvious that the budget is further enforcing a two tier system that this government is implementing across our public service. Jobseekers payments increase by 5 euros but if you’re aged between 18 to 24 years you get 2.70 and 3.80 if your 25.

“If you are a secondary school teacher who has recently entered the profession, you’re on a lower rate than previous entrants. We have new members of An Garda Síochána on a starting salary of €23,500 sleeping in cars because they are unable to afford spiralling rent costs.

“It’s obvious to young people in this country that we are in a two-tier society, where the very government treats them differently based on their age and based on their status of beginning their professions. It is no wonder young people are emigrating and the Government TDs along with Fianna Fáil have no problem giving themselves a wage increase.

“It is not only young people that feel the effects of this mean and vindictive budget. It’s also vindictive to pensioners, the €5 increase which isn’t appearing until March, will be gone soon after; gone to their yearly bin charge with no option for instalments or no bin waiver, increased cost of living such as car insurance and to water charges.

“The effect of this mean and vindictive budget is one of making people feel less of a citizen, a burden to our society. That is what the government are doing. It’s time to change that attitude because we have to cherish all our citizens equally and not follow the government down this road of reinforcing a two-tier society.”