People Before Profit calls on Sinn Féin to enact cost-of-living payment for families

People Before Profit are calling out Sinn Féin and requesting a €1,000 cost-of-living payment for households at a total government cost of €2.5 billion.

However, PBP is further proposing a total package worth €15 billion that they claim is reasonable within the government’s financial abilities but would also be partially funded through redirecting profits from energy companies and by increasing wealth taxes.

The funds would aid Irish families in dealing with the soaring energy crisis and unsustainable cost of living.

The @solidarityie - @pb4p think-in is in full swing this morning.

Joining TDs & councillors in the first session to give insight on the cost of living crisis:

- Martha Ní Riada (UCD Education Officer)
- Michael Taft (SIPTU Researcher)
- Sue Shaw (Senior Citizens Parliament)

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— People Before Profit (@pb4p) September 7, 2022

Speaking about resolutions for the pressing energy crisis, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett stated, “We think there should be a €1000 direct payment made to households in order to shield them against the increased cost of living across the board. We want to see things like free childcare, free public transport, the abolition of college fees, we want a children’s allowance increase.”

Boyd Barrett also highlighted that the government has access to far more resources than they are utilising, saying, “There are a whole number of mechanisms that the Government have at their disposal, and they have the revenues to do it at the moment because we’re seeing record tax revenues come in and growth in the economy, as well as huge profits being made by the corporate sector.”

The socialist political party has also suggested that voters should be wary of Sinn Féin in the leadup to the next election.

He further detailed, “It seems clear we’re going to need people power in order to force the Government to do that because the Government’s repeated mantra is we can’t fully protect people against the cost of living.”

The People Before Profit leader went on to explain that the demand for aid is realistic, as the government would be able to allocate at least €15 billion from multiple avenues of funding in order to help people during this crisis.

The party is vocal about the fact that much of the necessary funding would be found by increasing taxation on the wealthy – those earning over €100k.

On a related note, PBP TD Brid Smith claims she finds Sinn Féin’s reluctance to act on climate change disappointing and that the party has truly been “sitting on the fence.”

And while Boyd Barrett stressed that People Before Profit remains unconcerned with their position as a party in future elections, he did point out that voters should be aware of Sinn Féin meeting with Ireland Inc. on top of reports that the party has been in communication with multinationals about the economy.

PBP councillor Hazel De Nortúin shared that many in the country are experiencing real fear over how they will carry on paying their bills, while party TD Mick Barry labelled the government “out of touch.”

“They are out of touch with the cost of living hardship and heartaches that people are going through. People are dreading this winter,” Barry stated.

The TD has set in motion a mass cost-of-living protest for September 24, which is being spread across PBP’s socials.

The message from the People Before Profit - Solidarity 'Cost of Living Think In' today is simple:

We have to force this Govt into radical action on the cost of living.

And to do that,we need to build the protest on 24 Sept to be as big and broad as possible! @RBoydBarrett pic.twitter.com/hWZ2FhvG0e

— People Before Profit (@pb4p) September 7, 2022