The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has accused the Government of ignoring the human cost of its economic policies on families and individuals.
Launching the Society’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Government titled “Don’t Push Them Over the Edge”, the National President of the largest charitable organisation in Ireland, Mairead Bushnell, says there is a “conditioning of the public” underway to get people to “accept a collective guilt over the economic problems” and “to ignore the human cost to families and individuals.”
But there has been no mention of protecting the vulnerable by any of the “establishment groups,” she said when launching the Society’s pre-Budget submission. It calls on the Government to avoid making the present difficult situation even worse for those already in need.
“Competitiveness, credit ratings and consumer confidence have dominated the debate. Marginalised groups such as lone parents, immigrants and those living on the poverty line have been portrayed as contributing to the downturn”.
“We do not believe that any reduction in Social Welfare rates is either warranted or economically sensible given the still-high cost of such basic living expenses as food, energy, transport, health, education and service charges. If the Government insists on making cuts, then it must be remembered that the removal of the Christmas Bonus payment will represent a 2% cut in income for social welfare recipients.”
Ms. Bushnell warned the Government against taking action which would have long-term social consequences.
“There is a continuing increase in the number of calls for assistance, which is a sobering picture of the human cost of the recession and the struggles faced by families and individuals.”
The pre-Budget submission was launched in Dublin on Tuesday, November 3.
SVP PROPOSALS TO GOVERNMENT ON THE BUDGET
• No cut in the basic Social Welfare payments for adults or children.
• No cut in the Minimum Wage.
• Low-income families must be protected.
The full pre-Budget submission by the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, including the detailed proposals, can be read here.