Credit union highlights austerity fallout says Crowe

Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has called on the government to stop
its crippling austerity as workers and their families are suffering
from its fall out.

Crowe was speaking after the release of the latest Irish League of
Credit Union’s “What’s Left? Income Tracker”. The tracker found that
more than 1.3 million adults in Ireland have less than €50 left over
after paying essential bills each month.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:
“The information contained in this Credit Union income survey is
shocking, but not really surprising and supports information coming
from anti-poverty and children’s charities.

“The income tracker shows in black white what Sinn Féin has
continually argued; we need investment and growth, not more austerity
and social spending cuts.

“Those living on €50 or less a month after paying essential bills now
amount to 1.3 million adults, with another 1.9 million living on less
than €100 a month after paying essential bills.

“Looking ahead to this winter, I am extremely worried that
households will be under severe pressure to pay heating costs and
Christmas expenses. According to the Irish League of Credit Union’s,
heating and fuel costs are now the second most essential bill for
households.

“This 2012 tracker sees Ireland with 42% of its people having to
borrow money to pay bills.
Some 70% say they are unable to save any money due to a lack of disposable
income, and one in ten say they are unable to pay their bills from month
to month.

“The income tracker started in March 2011 when this government took
power, and it is updated every three months. This latest surveys shows
a steady decline in the amount of disposable income that households
are left with at the end of the month.

“When, if ever will the government wake up and actually see that its
austerity programme, with its toxic fall out is’nt working.
The income survey shows there is no more to give,individuals and
families cannot take any more of this.

“The government needs to focus more on real alternatives and begin
helping Ireland’s struggling citizens. We need to focus on creating
jobs and getting people off the dole. We need to stimulate our
stagnant economy and use the likes of National Pension Fund, with
other available funds to begin building again for a better future.”