10/12/09

LABOUR Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has slammed the Government for placing the burden of Ireland's economic crisis on young people.

Responding to his party leader Eamon Gilmore's description of Fianna Fáil as the 'Celtic Tories,' Deputy Sherlock said

 

"This budget was drafted by silver haired politicians and mandarins who have their mortgages paid and children reared for the most part, it shows blatant disregard for school leavers, college students, graduates and young low income families.

 

"It confirms Fianna Fáil's vision of Ireland, not as a meritocracy but as a country where those on high wages, well into their careers are valued more than those making their initial contributions to our society."

 

"For the younger public sector employees who committed themselves to public service prior to the moratorium, this budget has been equally savage. Public sector workers with young children will lose hundreds of euro a month. I am appalled by the 5% cut in pay for the first €30,000 in public sector pay.

 

"Mortgage repayments are already proving to be a significant difficulty to many young families. The cost of childcare is not reflecting the falling child benefit payments to families. The Government has put the issue of extending the moratorium on homes on the long finger.

 

"Here was an opportunity for the Government to, in their own words, ‘turn a corner'. Sadly for the younger generations of Irish people, they have hit a brick wall."

 

 

"This Fianna Fáil government has created an environment where over 400,000 people are now on the live register. Young school leavers, or those fortunate enough to make it through third level face an Ireland where jobs are rare. New school or third level graduates under the age of 24 face a paltry jobseeker allowance of between €100 and €150 to try and make ends meet while they look for employment in this current climate.

 

"In the absence of any clear coherent policy on job creation, this current Government has effectively told the young people of Ireland that they are a burden on this State and are better off getting a flight to anywhere but here."

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