Cap hospital consultants’ salaries instead of cutting child benefit – Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin Social Protection Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has outlined a range of measures, including capping the salaries of hospital consultants at €150,000 that could be implemented as an alternative cutting child benefit.
Speaking today Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:
“It was clear from the government contributions to the debate this week on my party's motion defending child benefit that cuts are on the cards. I want to remind them of their Programme for Government commitment to maintain social welfare rates and the crystal clear pre-election promises made by the Labour Party in exchange for votes. Even at this late stage I would urge the government not to cut child benefit.
“The Minister is wrong to pretend that she no choice due to the financial situation. There are a range of alternatives open to government. For example if the salaries of hospital consultants were to be capped at €150,000 by government this would save €100 million, phasing out state subsidies to private education, reducing spending on rent supplement by providing more social housing which is cheaper would each save €20 million and recouping social transfers from employers paid to wrongfully dismissed employees would save €12 million.
“These are just a selection of the options open to government. Combined these measures would generate savings totalling €152 million which is equal to the savings the government proposes to make with a cut to child benefit.” ENDS