Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane launched Sinn Féin’s ‘Alternative Budget’ social protection proposals yesterday designed to support workers and families.
The measures are part of the party’s wider alternative Budget, which has a strong emphasis on the cost of living crisis.
Deputy Kerrane said they know that Government cannot protect households from every price rise and that some circumstances are out of our control.
But she said that more can and must be done to support households.
“This year’s Alternative Budget has been particularly difficult to prepare given the many crises facing society – the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis, the crisis in health and growing poverty levels,” said Deputy Kerrane.
“Poverty is one of the greatest challenges we face as a State and Social Protection is key to tackling and ending poverty. Of course, no one Budget will achieve all that we need to achieve.”
“That is why Sinn Féin is proposing Social Protection measures which are targeted to support families and children, Disabled People and Family Carers, who are often faced with additional costs and are not adequately assisted by our social welfare system.”
Deputy Kerrane explained that the party is proposing proposing payment rates for disability-related supports, such as Disability Allowance and Blind Pension, to be increased to €20 per week.
They also want to see greater supports for Family Carers, including increasing the Carer’s Support Grant to €2,000 per year.
The alternative Budget also proposed a State Pension for long-standing Carers and an increase of core social welfare rates by €17.50 per week.
