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Clare Poverty Report Author Says ‘Systemic Issues’ Need Tackling Ahead Of New Cost Of Living Package

The author of a report looking at poverty across Clare says ‘systemic issues’ locally need to be prioritised rather than one-off cash payments.

It comes as Cabinet is to meet tomorrow to sign off on a new cost-of-living support package, with Government leaders finalising the measures today.

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The package isn’t yet finalised, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan to finalise it this evening, before the rest of the Cabinet rubber stamps it tomorrow.

 

It is expected to include a further, one-off social welfare payment for vulnerable groups among other measures.

The author of a report released last year which looked at overall poverty in Clare, says systemic issues such as housing and health ultimately need to be addressed ahead of short term measures.

Author of the ‘Towards an Anti-Poverty Strategy for Clare’ report, Dr. Conor McCabe, says while cash payments are welcome, a long term approach is needed.

Listen back to the full interview here:

However, an additional energy credit after March is looking unlikely.

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien says the Government also needs to be conscious of next winter.

Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator is making fresh calls for the lower rate of VAT for the hospitality sector to be retained on a regional basis.

The special 9% rate, as well as the excise cut on petrol and diesel, look likely to be axed.

The sector employs well over 10,000 people in this county alone.

Mountshannon-based Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley, is hopeful a work-around can be found to account for the additional pressure faced by those in the sector located outside of the capital.

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