Some ideas for Minister Lenihan November 6, 2009
Posted by Donnacha Maguire in Budget 2010.Tags: Brian Lenihan, Budget 2010, Cuts, Taxes
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So it’s nearly time for Budget 2010. Times are tough and things need to be cut and money needs to be raised. Do you have any suggestions for how we can make some cuts that wont affect services or how to raise money? Tough, I know!! If there are any stand out ones, I will pass them on to the Minister; maybe he will use them!! You could have a cut or a tax named after you 
I’ll start with a few of my own:
- Cut the allowances for teachers by 20% i.e. fees paid to teachers to supervise and to correct the Leaving and Junior Certifications. Or go further and make it a condition of employment that a teacher does one or the other.
- Those is receipt of say more than 20 hours Home Help per week would not be entitled to respite unless it can be justified medically. There are many people out there with Home Help and Carers from 9am till 6pm which allows their full-time carers to go to work and lead a full life. Respite money should be directed more towards those who need it most.
- Release all prisoners who have less than 6 months remaining in their and who do not pose a threat to society i.e. those who failed to pay back a loan etc. Once released, they can be seconded to the local authority for work placement in lieu of their time in prison
That is 3 of my ideas. I have more of my own but I’ll wait till others come up with some of their own suggestions.
Over to you!!
1. Lower the VAT on Sustainable Products and remove the grants such as the Greener Homes Scheme. By removing the grants you will save but by lowering the VAT you will stimulate the construction sector.
2. Introduce a Carbon Tax on homes based on the BERs.
3. Raise the higher band Income tax
4. Remove the free artist tax (if not already done) – not sure
5. Reduce the VAT in Construction to a simple 15% instead of the 2/3 rule creating hassle for the sector, this can help stimulate business
6. Allow compaies to roll 50% of their tax obligation into the next finacial year in order to get out of the recession
7. Instruct tender operators that the restriction for public sector work should be lifted. i.e. do not impose max 6 No. tenders, open a tender bid up to ALL thoses that meet the specification in order to reduce costs and obtain the most competive bid within say 10% of a notional contract sum
I’ll add another… transfer part payment of Child Benefit to the child between the ages of 16 and 18). To retain the payment the child must stay in school. The remaining part can be paid to the parent for the childs care regardless.
CB of maybe 80 euro/month given directly to the child would act as a strong incentive to stay in school…. It could be raised should the problem get worse.