Tax rates ‘too low to stamp out poverty’

TAXATION rates are too low for the Government to make a credible effort at stamping out poverty and disadvantage, according to religious think-tank CORI.

But the group warned against slapping tax hikes on the average worker, calling instead for increases to be targeted at the wealthy and for recent tax cuts on business profits to be reversed.

In its annual socio-economic review, the Justice Committee of CORI (Conference of Religious of Ireland), found Ireland’s tax take was the lowest in Europe and the country’s spending on public services, such as housing, healthcare and transport, was also below the European average.