Irish Budget 2013

[C. Flower]

The Budget 2013 discussion is well and truly started, with a repeat run of last year's scare-raising by Government, starting with Leo Varadker's shot at the Croke Park agreement, now with a flurry of "will they won't they" cut the minimum wage and whether or not public sector pay increments will be stopped.

This seems calculated to exhaust people mentally so that when the budget eventually comes, people are too worn down to object.

To some extent, the Budget will be determined by the EU/IMF Memorandum and to some extent, in the Bundestag.

But there is still very substantial room for manoevre and choices to be made by our Government.

At least 3.5 billion "adjustment" is planned through spending cuts and increased taxation.

Memorandum of Understanding -

http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/...MOUjan2012.pdf

April Stability Update

http://www.finance.gov.ie/documents/...spuapr2012.pdf

[C. Flower]

Enda Kenny is trying to make a liar out of me - he says that the budget "will not be drafted in public." Most of it was published already by the Troika.

There seems to be a game of hard man - Varadker - soft/extremely ambiguous man - Gilmore and strong and silent - Kenny.

[disability student]

Had a strange dream few nights ago as It suggested to me that EU especially Germany is trying to force us/other Euro countries into a submissive state re their demands on austerity programme. It reminded us of the third Reich.. a thousand years.

Thus forcing some states like Ireland into submissive state as it would clear their way as means of getting their outcomes even Irish referendum. It's the only way forward for them nothing more or less.

They can't see that their austerity programme isn't clearly working at all or their programme is forcing huge contagion spread around the Eurozone. It's a domino effect one after another..unstoppable.

When would these politicans such as Merkel and Kenny realise their mistake and probably too late to retract it??

The effect of austerity programme has a huge effect on most political parties in the Eurozone especially mainstream such as FG/FF/Lab as it reduces their core votes and possibly their demise. That said, they may never regain their power nor their glory days.

In short, Eurozone politicans are suffering from stockholm syndrome or 'group think'- unable to break away just like Syriza a role model for future new political parties.

[Baron von Biffo]

The IMF wants the minimum wage slashed.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland...ut-198761.html

The journalist helpfully tells us that the MW here is "among the highest in the EU". No doubt some clumsy sub-editor excised her observation that Irish prices share the same distinction.

[C. Flower]

Joan Burton made a speech last night at a Labour event, saying that employers and employees PRSI should be increased, as current contributions don't cover social welfare expenditure.

Well, of course they don't. 450,000 people are unemployed.

[Apjp]

Had a strange dream few nights ago as It suggested to me that EU especially Germany is trying to force us/other Euro countries into a submissive state re their demands on austerity programme. It reminded us of the third Reich.. a thousand years.

Thus forcing some states like Ireland into submissive state as it would clear their way as means of getting their outcomes even Irish referendum. It's the only way forward for them nothing more or less.

They can't see that their austerity programme isn't clearly working at all or their programme is forcing huge contagion spread around the Eurozone. It's a domino effect one after another..unstoppable.

When would these politicans such as Merkel and Kenny realise their mistake and probably too late to retract it??

The effect of austerity programme has a huge effect on most political parties in the Eurozone especially mainstream such as FG/FF/Lab as it reduces their core votes and possibly their demise. That said, they may never regain their power nor their glory days.

In short, Eurozone politicans are suffering from stockholm syndrome or 'group think'- unable to break away just like Syriza a role model for future new political parties.

Maybe the whole thing is just designed to force us into a political federation because 'there is no alternative'. These people who lead all our countries do after all believe we all deserve austerity.

[Apjp]

No way people will stay and work for 7 euro an hour and pay an even bigger PRSI on it than the already unfair USC. On 9 euro an hour, with the USC being paid and no return for it with improved public services, a single person/young couple might just about afford a place to live urbanly, enough to get by and some small savings. Anything lower and survival turns to serfdom.

Another thing about this so called min wage safenet. I work 2 jobs to supplement me income here now. Fair enough I'm paying the USC. my small bit in Tax. I woudlnt mind that if it was actually spent on the upkeep of the state instead of on bankers. But why should a man like my da looking after a huge family be forced to slave away for the same wage I get? With my 2 jobs I actually earn more than him, which considering how hard his job is just isnt fair.

There should be a higher minimum wage, especially for those feeding a family.

[fluffybiscuits]

No way people will stay and work for 7 euro an hour and pay an even bigger PRSI on it than the already unfair USC. On 9 euro an hour, with the USC being paid and no return for it with improved public services, a single person/young couple might just about afford a place to live urbanly, enough to get by and some small savings. Anything lower and survival turns to serfdom.

Another thing about this so called min wage safenet. I work 2 jobs to supplement me income here now. Fair enough I'm paying the USC. my small bit in Tax. I woudlnt mind that if it was actually spent on the upkeep of the state instead of on bankers. But why should a man like my da looking after a huge family be forced to slave away for the same wage I get? With my 2 jobs I actually earn more than him, which considering how hard his job is just isnt fair.

There should be a higher minimum wage, especially for those feeding a family.

+1 especially with the price of goods here. Feeding a family, clothes, utility bills, car etc are all through the roof here and show no signs of coming down.

[Apjp]

Most studies illustrate that single-parent families in particular are already caught in a poverty trap with not enough money to pay someone to look after children and allow them to work, and not enough state, childcare facilities.

Quoted from the article linked above. My Da's case exactly.

[culmore]

We still have to pay for FF looking after their friends in Anglo. all these boys still have their loans and property and we have to pay for it. Thanks Lenny and clown

[ang]

We still have to pay for FF looking after their friends in Anglo. all these boys still have their loans and property and we have to pay for it. Thanks Lenny and clown

Very good point culmore now can you get Enda to address it please and ask him why he is following in the footsteps of FF.

[Baron von Biffo]

A 'senior FG minister speaking on condition of anonymity' is having a go at the Minister for Lifestyle Choices over her plan to hike PRSI.

"“To the man on the street, a PRSI increase is the same as an increase in income tax. The Government has agreed that spending in social protection has to be reduced by €600 million next year,” the Minister said."

My tuppence is on Leo the Loon.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...319266667.html

[ang]

Child benefit cuts recommended.

This will not help mortgage payments a lot of people are reliant on this money to keep a roof over their childrens heads. Funnily enough the Govt. never seem too bothered about "topping up banks" next top up will be due very soon at this rate of cutting.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...reaking26.html

[Dr. FIVE]

http://www.gaiacharis.com/site/index...t-imagine-joan

Just imagine, Joan, that when you go into your office tomorrow a new Ministerial contract is lying on your desk. You didn’t know that the terms of your public service employment were being changed and it states very clearly at the top that this new contract is non-negotiable.


Just imagine that your new terms of employment will be as follows:

1. You will now be required to work 365 days per year.

2. Your working day will average 18 hours but you must be on call 24 hours per day.

3. You will have no statutory right to holidays, tea breaks, meal breaks or sick leave.

4. Your pay is to be reduced to the level of statutory State benefits and will be non-negotiable.

5. Your personal and/or professional or academic skills will not be recognised or rewarded in any way.

6. You have no right of redress regarding this contract.

7. It will take effect immediately.

8. There will be no effective help available to you no matter how difficult you find it to meet the terms of your new contract.

9. This new contract is to be managed by a conglomerate of State departments and their ancillary bodies. Hereinafter, this conglomerate will be referred to as ‘The System.’ Those within ‘The System’ will retain all statutory employment rights such as holidays, appropriate rates of pay and a generous range of nice little perks.

10. The employment of those within ‘The System’ is entirely dependent on the existence of those, such as yourself, who are henceforth permanently under the auspices, terms and conditions of the non-negotiable minimum contract.

Just imagine that you now find it extremely difficult to access and obtain even the most minimal rights, remunerations and resources to which you are entitled under your new contract.

Just imagine that when you try to do so you encounter delays, obstructions and seemingly interminable prevarications from those who manage your new contract.

Just imagine that you have no recognised Trade Union to assist you in these difficulties.

Just imagine that if you attempt to question or highlight these practices or are in any way critical of them your new contract will be suffixed with definitions taken from an approved systemic list e.g. ‘troublemaker’, ‘difficult’, ‘awkward’, ‘ungrateful’, etc. Someone might even call the Gards.

This visualisation exercise is most effective when undertaken alone Joan, and in a state of extreme exhaustion, preferably in the absence of any adequate financial resources.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF CARERS JOAN.......now imagine that your heart breaks frequently for the person you are caring for.

Now imagine that this contract will never end.

[morticia]

Child benefit cuts recommended.

This will not help mortgage payments a lot of people are reliant on this money to keep a roof over their childrens heads. Funnily enough the Govt. never seem too bothered about "topping up banks" next top up will be due very soon at this rate of cutting. ]

Hear hear. Another problem exists with situations where one parent is financially dependent on the other and little money is forthcoming, despite a reasonable family income. Since the shelters for abused spouses are utterly inadequate to demand at the moment, this is likely to make a bad situation worse