Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Finance Bill is the bread and butter of the changes the Government makes as a result of what most people call the budget which happens each year. It comes and it goes overnight. Most people do not know how the budget affects them until they see changes on a payslip, apply for social protection supports or go to the shop to buy some goods. The changes to the USC threshold for lower earners will give people a small increase in their earnings. Any increase is welcome, but the amount will certainly not be life changing. What little money is given is taken back faster.

My colleagues and I have repeatedly raised the increase in the carbon tax. Ordinary people and families do not have alternatives to heat their homes. They are being punished due to no fault of their own. What does the Minister say to the elderly person or the family with children who have an open fire and buy their bags of coal or a tank of oil to keep their house warm this winter? Will he tell them what they can do as an alternative to heat their home? People are living in poverty and the Minister must accept this increase is not fair. With the Covid-19 pandemic, people are told to stay in their houses. Are they to stay in their freezing homes because they cannot afford fuel to keep them warm?

These increases will happen every year for the next ten years. The Government has to bring people along and this measure does not do that. It is punishment of the weakest.

On the help to buy housing scheme, how can young people get interest relief on savings when they cannot afford to save because they are paying enormous rents? Affordable housing, built by Government and local authorities is needed, not saving schemes that increase the price of houses.

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