Siptu chief calls for ‘significant’ stimulus programme

The president of Siptu has called for the Government to introduce a “significant, off-balance-sheet stimulus programme” and a tax on the rich to stave off the need for a €1bn cut to the public service pay bill.

Jack O’Connor said the Government has flexibility to concede ground on the cuts projected for 2014 and 2015. However, he said the €300m in savings required from this year “is more difficult because it is already in Budget 2013”.

He suggested “interim measures” could be used “to the end of this year” to find that money.