Overhaul of pension perks ‘would save €2bn’

OVER €2 billion could be generated by an overhaul of generous pension breaks for the wealthy and a levy on business profits, according to budget proposals drawn up by Social Justice Ireland (SJI).

The group, which grew out of the Catholic religious congregation-aligned organisation CORI, has also called for text messages to be taxed as part of its alternative budget, which it says would create 100,000 part-time jobs for the long-term unemployed.

Other proposals include a student loans scheme to pay for third-level fees and a tax increase on gambling which would go towards social welfare payments.