Slashing planned public spending in Offaly during cost-of-living crisis ‘disgraceful’
Tullamore based Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson, has said the Government must not impose austerity measures during this cost-of-living crisis.
Cllr Masterson’s comments come in response to the announcement that the Department of Education’s €600 million overspend will be paid for by other departments cutting their expected spending this year by between 0.1% and 1.4%.
Cllr Masterson said: "Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have been in power together for over a decade and they have consistently mis-spent and wasted taxpayers money.
“It is outrageous that, during a cost-of-living crisis, the Minister for Public Expenditure, has announced that government departments will be forced to make cuts to their planned spending.
“Slashing funding for essential public services will affect those most in need.
“Ordinary workers and families should not have to pay the price for this government’s inability to manage the public finances.
“People are sick to the back teeth of this Government taking money away from our essential public services, while giving handouts to those with the broadest shoulders.
"It is disgraceful that this Government is seeking to cut public spending while continuing to give a sweetheart deal to the banks, who are paying less than 1% tax on their profits, and give generous tax breaks to big developers and landlords.
“Sinn Féin is opposed to any cuts to our essential public services and is calling on the minister to reverse his decision immediately.”