Mayo TD says Budget a missed opportunity to support workers
Conway-Walsh said:“This could have been a budget to make life affordable again."
Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, has labelled Budget 2027 another missed opportunity by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents to tackle the spiralling cost of living facing workers and families across Mayo.
Conway-Walsh said:“This could have been a budget to make life affordable again. What was so badly needed by workers and families was a meaningful cost of living package.
"Instead, for the second year running, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have delivered a budget that leaves the lowest paid workers worse off.
“Families across Mayo are struggling with soaring food, fuel, energy and housing costs.
"Yet most workers will receive less than €5 a week in support – the price of a cup of coffee – all of which will be absorbed by soaring bills.
“Home heating oil is a huge expense for rural households, particularly here in Mayo. The price has risen by €700 a fill since the start of the year, yet the government’s response is a reduction of less than €43.
"To make matters worse, the Fuel Allowance has effectively been cut by €12 this winter despite rising energy costs.
“I am shocked that there are no energy credits when we have 320,000 people in arrears with their electricity bills. Every day I meet people in Mayo who are struggling to afford the very basics needed to live.
“Renters have also been left high and dry, receiving just €150 while big developers are handed hundreds of millions in tax breaks.
"Our students still face fees of €2,350, and people with disabilities have once again been left waiting for meaningful support.
“This government is spending record amounts of our money without fixing the problems making life unaffordable for so many.
“Sinn Féin put forward real alternatives. We would have cut USC for every worker on their first €40,000 of earnings, delivered €400 energy credits, reduced home heating oil costs by €183 a fill, doubled the renters’ tax credit to €2,000 and cut childcare costs to €10 a day.
“After consecutive years of budget surpluses and more predicted for this year and next, people in Mayo are entitled to ask why they are still struggling to pay their bills, afford a home or access essential services.
“Budget 2027 was an opportunity to put ordinary workers and families first, but this government have failed to take it.”
