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Fianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin says he favors a \u20ac5 increase in the state pension next year but that budgets talks on a welfare-related package for 2019 are still underway with the government.<\/p>\nFianna F\u00e1il leader Miche\u00e1l Martin says he favors a \u20ac5 increase in the state pension next year but that budgets talks on a welfare-related package for 2019 are still underway with the government.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the second day of his party’s parliamentary party meeting in Malahide, Dublin, he also said revenue raising measures were being discussed but the priority was to fund services next year.<\/p>\n
The party today discussed health care as well as housing and are also considering the Scally report which is addressing concerns around transparency in the cervical cancer screening system.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the budget, Mr Martin told reporters that specifics had yet to be agreed on a welfare package for next year.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, Mr Martin said he would support a \u20ac5 increase in the state pension.<\/p>\n
This has also been flagged as being considered by the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were instrumental in ensuring that over the last two years,\u201d added the party leader.<\/p>\n
His party is also open to revenue raising measures.<\/p>\n
It has been flagged that increases in carbon tax and a higher VAT rate for the tourism sector will provide this in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything that we do in the budget is predicated on protecting the less well off in society, protecting people on low incomes,\u201d added Mr Martin.<\/p>\n
The Government is deciding on how to spend an extra \u20ac800m next year, between services and tax measures.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il is pushing for a \u20ac200m affordable homes package, a reduction in hospital waiting lists, as well as further supports for low-income families.<\/p>\n
The confidence and supply agreement between the Fine Gael-led government and Fianna F\u00e1il states that there must be pension increases.<\/p>\n
The last two budgets increased the state pension by a total of \u20ac10 a week, between the two years.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il now wants the equivalent increase for pensioners in Budget 2019.<\/p>\n