Labours decision to introduce apprenticeship fees a regressive mean measure – Lynn Boylan Sinn Féin Dublin EU Candidate

January 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

Following today’s launch of the Technical Engineering & Electrical Union (TEEU) and the Union of Students in Ireland’s (USI) launch of their joint campaign against the introduction of apprentice fees Sinn Féin Dublin EU election candidate Lynn Boylan described the Labours party’s attack on young people, particularly those on low income, as relentless.
Attending the launch Lynn Boylan secured a commitment from Labours Dublin MEP Emer Costello, who spoke at the event that she would call on Education and Skills Minister Ruairi Quinn TD to meet with the TEEU as a matter of urgency. General Secretary of the TEEU told today’s campaign launch that it was the first time in his 30 years of his involvement in the union that a Minister had refused to meet with them.
The young Dublin Sinn Féin EU candidate said:
“I want to welcome today’s launch of the TEEU and USI joint campaign against the introduction of apprentice fees and I pledge Sinn Féin’s full support in the fight against this penny pinching regressive measure.
“Speaking at today’s campaign launch Labours Dublin MEP claim that she was championing youth unemployment in Brussels was yet another example of Emer Costello’s astonishing ability to speak out of both sides of her mouth.
“Labour in government has relentlessly attacked young people, particularly those on low incomes. Labour in Government has cut basic social welfare rates for the under 25s, offered up a paltry €14 million for a Youth Guarantee , fallen far short of providing the necessary training place, and have now introduced apprenticeship fees.
“Despite the devastating impact the fees will have on young peoples’ ability to attend or complete apprenticeships Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn has so far refused to meet with TEEU to discuss the matter. General Secretary of the TEEU told today’s campaign launch that it was the first time in his 30 years of his involvement in the union that a Minister had refused to meet with them.
“No amount of spin by Emer Costello, nor the PR company she employs, can shield the Dublin MEP from the anger and disappointment felt by young people and their across the capital city. Labour in government has failed young people.”

Filed Under: Economy

Sinn Féin budget alternative – giving families a break

October 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

1240013_433323180120030_118939190_n
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has today launched his party’s alternative budget. Deputy Doherty said Sinn Féin’s budget would lower the tax burden on ordinary families, protect public services and invest in jobs. He said ordinary people would be better off under Sinn Féin.

Deputy Doherty said; “The Sinn Fein budget will reduce the tax burden on ordinary families. It will protect public services and invest in jobs.

“We have identified a series of taxation and savings measures, fully costed by government departments, to reduce the deficit and pay for new spending measures.

“These include giving 1.8 million homeowners a tax rebate by abolishing the property tax, restoring the respite grant for 86,000 carers, taking 296,000 low income workers out of the USC, providing free school meals to five hundred more schools and halving the cost of school books, giving every child under five free GP care, extending the fuel allowance by three weeks, protecting the vulnerable – no more cuts to disability payments, no more cuts to Child Benefit, no more cuts to social welfare and introducing a stimulus to create thousands of jobs.

“These proposals are all fully costed by the government’s budgetary costing unit.

“The document also sets out proactive measures to assist job creation, SMEs, the agriculture sector, and people in mortgage distress. It deals with corporation tax and natural resources and also stresses our commitment to equality budgeting.

“Our adjustment is just under €2.5billion. We believe that families need to be given a break. Austerity is not working. The government needs to take its foot off the necks of the people. With this document we show how people are better off under Sinn Féin.”

Filed Under: Economy, Finance