Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Dessie Ellis TD slammed plans to apply the new family home tax to local authority and voluntary housing which could see higher rents for struggling tenants.
Deputy Ellis continued:
“The plan to apply this unfair tax on houses in the social housing system makes no sense and is completely counterproductive.
“Social housing was cut in the budget as were supports which many tenants rely on. It has been a terrible budget for the poorest in our society and now many will face a rent increase with no return.
“Local authorities who were meant to gain from the tax will have to pay around €25 million. This makes no sense and will weaken local authorities and voluntary housing bodies and hurt their tenants.
“This is an unfair tax plan to begin with but it is an outrage that the government have not exempted social housing.
“Sinn Féin proposed a progressive wealth tax which would have avoided this problem. We will continue to fight the home tax for a genuine tax on wealth”
Rent increase with no return: Ellis
Budget is more than motorists can bear -Ellis
Budget is more than motorists can bear -Ellis
December 5, 2012
Deputy Ellis continued:
“Over the last few years the cost of staying on the road for many motorists has climbed considerably while public transport alternatives have also risen in cost and services have been cut.
“Many people are left with no alternative but to use private transport and they are being forced to pay more now for something they have no choice in.
“On average Motor Tax on private cars register from July 2008 will go up by 53 euro a year. Good vehicles needed for doing business, for employing people will be on average taxed 117 euro more a year.
“VRT is also set to go up by as much as 3% making it more difficult for people to upgrade their vehicles to more environmentally and economically friendly vehicles which would be liable for less Motor Tax.
“Ordinary people seeking to drive to work, small businesses seeking to transport their good, even school busses, tractors, hearse and construction vehicles are now less affordable and people are once again hit harder by this government for no other reason than their unwillingness to tackle those on high earnings.” ends