Sinn Fein Budget proposals, budget 2013, budget 2014, gerry adams td, economy, finance

Sinn Fein Budget Proposals based on Flawed Methodology

Sinn Fein’s Flawed Methodology has seen the party make a u-turn on its wealth tax proposals. Sinn Fein were accused of ‘plucking figures from the sky’ when the party suggested that up to €800 million could be collected from their wealth tax proposals, many of Ireland’s senior economists have suggested that Sinn Fein remains stuck in the mud of protectionism economics as espoused by former Sinn Fein President, Ruari O’Bradaigh (RIP).

In recent times Sinn Fein have been embarrassed when it was shown that Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD had flown to America to enjoy Private Healthcare treatment, while his own constituents in Louth languished on hospital trolleys.

Sinn Fein’s wealth Tax u-turn

Sinn Féin will drop its calls for a wealth tax in next month’s budget as part of a dramatic departure from its approach to balance the State’s finances.

The principle of a wealth tax of 1 per cent on assets above €1 million has been an integral part of Sinn Féin’s pre-budget submission since 2010 along with a third 48 per cent tax rate and a cap of €100,000 on public sector salaries.

It has claimed that a wealth tax could yield €800 million to the State each year.

However, the reliability of the party’s figures was questioned by tax expert and barrister Suzanne Kelly who cast doubts on the sources of its calculations and the amount of tax that would be raised.

It led to scrutiny and criticism of the policy from its opponents.

The party has responded by leaving out any proposals for a wealth tax in its pre-budget submission, due out this month.

Sinn Fein Finance Spokesman Pearse Doherty

Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the party is still committed to a wealth tax but will not include it in its submission this year. He said Sinn Féin will deal with wealth assets as a special category, with all revenue generated being ring-fenced for job creation.

He said the decision was made because it was not possible to say with any certainty at present how much would be raised by a wealth tax. He said definite figures would only become available when the Central Statistics Office began collating data for personal wealth next year.

“It’s not disputed that a wealth tax will bring in hundreds of millions of euro,” said Mr Doherty, but he pointed out that estimates varied from €400 million to €800 million.

“Instead of putting the measure in and leaving ourselves open to the accusation that this is not costed, we will [leave it out] and rely on other measures to reduce the deficit to the target amount.”

Mr Doherty said the party’s submission would propose reducing the deficit by “slightly over €2 billion”, somewhat short of the €3.1 billion being pressed for by elements in Fine Gael and by the troika.

He asserted this figure would be sufficient to meet international obligations, but would also encourage jobs and growth.

Sinn Fein Property TAX

Sinn Féin’s opposition to the property tax will mean it will have to find €500 million in alternative measures.

Mr Doherty accepted that this will be a tough challenge. He said the focus was on fairness, protecting the public services, jobs, emigration and ensuring youth employment.

The third rate of tax of 48 per cent for those earning over €100,000 would be a key component, but he said the party was varying its policy of a cap of €100,000 on public salaries.

“It was a blunt instrument that was introduced as an emergency measure during the crisis. We have a more considered approach that is conscious of what happened in the Haddington Road Agreement [on public sector pay]. We are introducing the first step of that. There will be grades of reduction for those earning above €100,000,” he said.

It is expected the party will also propose cuts in politicians salaries, another red herring.

Breaking news, Meath News, Ray Butler TD, Social welfare, child benefit, budget 2013,

Breaking news, Meath News, Ray Butler TD, Social welfare, child benefit, budget 2013,

A Fine Gael TD who is on a TD salary of 92,000 Euro per year, plus expenses, says that he is collecting up to 600 Euros per month in Social Welfare (child benefit).

Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has welcomed the fact that social welfare inspectors are carrying out spot checks to ensure people are not falsely claiming child benefit. Deputy Butler was speaking after one of the inspectors called for his family home in Trim.

"I am glad to see the Department of Social Protection taking a proactive stance on social welfare fraud, which is causing the State hundreds of millions of euro each year. The Department of Social Protection makes payments to some 1.4 million people every week. While the vast majority of these payments are legitimate, we must eliminate those who are defrauding the system.

He explained: "An inspector recently called to my home in Trim, to ask about the child benefit payments being made in respect of my three daughters and one son. My wife supplied the relevant documents to the inspector to show that we were all fully accounted for.

"Social welfare fraud is not a victimless crime. At a time when we are facing another harsh budget which will involve very difficult decisions, we must ensure that fraud is being stamped out. Not only does welfare fraud cost the State a significant sum every year, it undermines public confidence in the system. The door to door spot checks are part of an initiative by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, to achieve fraud savings of €625 this year.

"The fact that my home was visited by an inspector shows that these checks are random and fair. Child benefit is an essential payment for thousands of households across the county, giving parents a significant helping hand in providing for their children.

The Fine Gael backbencher said that middle income families are under severe financial pressure.

" While many people might not like the idea of getting a knock on the door from a social welfare inspector, I think these spot checks should be viewed as a necessary and proactive measure. We want to ensure fraud is eliminated so we can continue to provide payments to those who need them most."