I spoke on Today with Claire Byrne RTÉ Radio 1 today for Age Action You can listen back from 38 minutes 17 seconds here: rte.ie/radio/radio1/t… It is wrong to pit older people against children in #Budget2025. The real issue is the government favouring tax cuts over ending poverty.

“ there is no case for an expensive further payment of universal energy credits to all households. As well as being wasteful, this would build up an expectation that the State can support households with their energy bills on an ongoing basis”. irishtimes.com/opinion/editor…

Inheritance tax threshold rises have no ‘clear policy rationale’, watchdog says irishtimes.com/politics/2024/…

As outlined in The Irish Times, just 0.2% of the population pay inheritance tax. But that’s not a reason to abolish it! It’s about whether we want inherited wealth to create a new aristocracy or whether all society gets a share. #Budget2025 (paywall) irishtimes.com/your-money/202…

Inflation Jan 2020 to July 2024 was 20.83%. visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/c… The state pension of €277.30 divided by 120.83 and multiplied by 100 = €229.50 That’s its spending power relative to 2020 when the rate was €248.30, making it a cut in real terms of €18.80 #Budget2025

If it's true that TDs will get a €1,000 pay rise after #Budget2025, that is the equivalent of €19.18/week. Will the same TDs vote to give LESS to the 3 in 10 older people who rely on social protection for more than 90% of their income? (paywall) independent.ie/irish-news/rev…

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to work on this report and to raise the issue of #poverty in advance of #Budget2025 The roadmap for social inclusion is not going far enough to address barriers that prevent people from escaping from consistent poverty. This report has ideas!

It’s good to be at the Carmelite Community Centre on Aungier Street for tonight’s committee meeting of the Irish Social Policy Association. The Centre is a great venue for diverse meetings. And they have a lovely rose garden!

It is no bad thing if putting together the next EU Commission is proving difficult (as this article shows it is). It exposes the weaknesses in the EU constitution and highlights where the next round of reform should be focused. rte.ie/news/2024/0914… via RTÉ

In this blog, NERI Co-director Tom A McDonnell gives the NERI views on the Overall Budgetary Package as set out in the Summer Economic Statement & specific issues to be addressed in Budget 2025 - nerinstitute.net/blog/budget-20… #budget2025

A good time to remember that Ireland has much higher reliance on private health insurance than most EU countries. It is time to ditch unequal (and unaffordable) health insurance for universal public healthcare. m.independent.ie/irish-news/the… Irish Independent

It is not too late to register for tomorrow's launch of the CommunityPlatformIRL report, What would it take to eliminate consistent poverty by 2030? Tomorrow at 10.30am. Details here: eventbrite.ie/e/what-would-i… #Budget2025

Another inflationary energy credit is the wrong policy. It’s just another loan to households that adds to the national debt. Much better to target energy supports at those who are worst off. rte.ie/news/politics/… via RTÉ

I’m on my way to speak at the launch of the CommunityPlatformIRL report on eliminating consistent poverty. It includes proposals from all 31 members of the Community Platform and calls on all political parties to commit to the eradication of consistent poverty by 2030.

ATD Ireland will be proud to be at the launch of this insightful report today

ILMI is proud to support and be part of CommunityPlatformIRL (a platform of 31 national organisations) in calling for an end to consistent poverty by 2030 From a social model of disability perspective, poverty is a barrier that limits disabled people's full participation in society

The new CommunityPlatformIRL report is now available to download free-of-charge: What would it take to eliminate consistent poverty by 2030? #Budget2025 communityplatform.ie/wp-content/upl…