New budget must see fairer tax system

The Conference of Religious of Ireland pre-budget submission states that fairer taxes and improved social welfare rates must be given top priority in the next national budget.

CORI’s Justice Commission report published today also says the government can afford to pay out an additional one point five billion euro to tackle social issues.

The think group say that by 2011 Ireland will have a population of four and a half million people.

To cope with this they say the government must increase social welfare payments by about 17 per person and implement a new tax system.

Fr Sean Healy of CORI says the government must realise that “ well funded social welfare and support systems actually support the economy".