This article is from page 19 of the 2011-11-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
PEOPLE in Kilrush might struggle to have the financial means to pay for a series of stealth taxes that are expected to be introduced in next months Budget, town councillors have warned in calling for a means test to be introduced for people in the west Clare capital catchment area.
This claim that there are now a host of families in Kilrush are now on the breadline was sounded out as member of the local authority gave their universal backing for the introduction of a means-tested waiver scheme for householders “who have not the financial means to pay for taxes like water charges and property taxes on principal residences”.
“Some people living in a sheltered world don’t know how bad it is out there,” said Mayor of Kilrush, Cllr Ian Lynch told the meeting. “There are an awful lot of people on the breadline and I think some people will not be able to afford services.
“A means test will have to be brought in. We mightn’t realise ourselves how bad it is around town. It is absolutely dire out there,” Kilrush’s first citizen warned in backing a mo- tion that was proposed by former Mayor, Tom Prendeville.
“While the government implements financial austerity measures ordinary people in Kilrush will be asked to make huge financial sacrifices,” blasted Cllr Prendeville.
“The mention of water charges and property taxes in the upcoming Budget will mean that some pensioners, widow and other social welfare recipients will go hungry as much of their paltry weekly allowances will have to be set aside for these new stealth taxes.
“All this in the so-called name of fiscal rectitude. This is morally wrong, while NAMA bails out developers with generous allowances and the reckless lending of some bad banks is rewarded with € 700m of taxpayers money.
“There are people in Kilrush who will have to continue to exist by scrimping on the bare essentials of life to pay for the excesses of the Celtic Tiger. A waiver scheme to help these people to keep food on the table has to be brought in. It’s a small concession to ask for on behalf of a very vulnerable section of society,” Cllr Prendeville added.