On today’s Morning Focus Clare Dail representatives Joe Carey of Fine Gael and Michael McNamara of the Labour Party discussed the budget. The Finance Minister announced that people can earn more – just over 10-thousand euro more – before the Universal Social Charge kicks in, from January 1st. First Time Buyers who purchase a home in 2012 will get mortgage interest relief at 25% (rather than 15% signalled by the previous government). Non first time buyers will benefit from relief at 15% (rather than 10% signalled). As expected VAT is being increased by 2 per cent, however the Minister says the new 23 per cent VAT rate will not rise again during the lifetime of this Government. Petrol will go up by 1.4 cent a litre, Diesel up by 1.6 cent a litre.
Siobhan O’Donoghue, Spokesperson for Tax Wealth Campaign of Claiming Our Future spoke to Clare FM’s John Cooke and gave her groups reaction to yesterday’s budget. In the run up to the budget The Tax Wealth Campaign of Claiming Our Future launched a nationwide campaign calling on the government to enact alternative tax measures on wealthy and high income groups and to end its attack on those on lower and middle incomes. COF believes the current austerity approach is deflating the economy; leading to more job losses and putting the burden disproportionately onto those who can least afford it
Breda McCarthy, a Senior Tax Manager with Deloitte also joined Morning Focus to analyse the tax implications following the budget. She discussed the Income Tax Rate effect on Salaries, the impact on Social Welfare, Pensions, Farming, Family Budgets, Government Reform, Domestic and Multi National Businesses and discusses the beneficiaries from the Budget
Dermot Hayes of People with Disabilities in Ireland spoke about the cuts facing young people with disabilities in the budget while Eoin Galvin of the Irish Road Hauliers Association spoke about the impact of the budget on motorists. The price of petrol and diesel has gone up since midnight last night. Petrol increases by 1.4 cent a litre, while Diesel goes up by 1.6 cent a litre
Meanwhile, Carbon tax on fossil fuel is also on the way up – from 15 euro per tonne to 20 euro per tonne.
Michael O’Shea, Chief Executive of The Irish Heart Foundation spoke about the IHF’s disappointment at the lack of a Sugar Tax – they say the Government failed miserably to live up to its commitment to tackle the obesity crisis by failing at the very least to impose a tax on sugar sweetened drinks.
Also on today’s show;
As part of Clare FM’s 50 Cent Appeal – we’ve been hearing about the vital work that’s undertaken by those working with our four local beneficiaries; Clarecare, Clare Haven, the Clare branch of St. Vincent de Paul and Cahercalla Hospice
Máire Moynahan spoke with Mary Cosgrove – Home Help Co-ordinator with Clarecare about the services they provide and what it means for the elderly and isolated across the county…
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service discussed the changes to social welfare, child benefit and fuel allowance in the budget
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus you can email the show at [email protected] or text Clare FM followed by your comment and name to 53030
