Chambers pledges 'substantial package' in Budget

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has said there will be a "substantial package to help people through the winter period" which will be discussed in Government Budget negotiations today.

He added he would be meeting with the three coalition party leaders later today along with Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe.

He said there would be a "substantial income tax package for workers" to respond to the "cost of living challenges that so many people face".

He added there would be a focus on the Universal Social Charge, the standard rate of tax and tax credits.

Meanwhile, Government parties are at odds over plans to increase key social protection payments.

The Minister for Social Protection is openly reluctant to increase payments to job seekers to the same extent as other groups.

Speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme, Heather Humphreys said that her priority is to provide greater support for carers, pensioners, people with disabilities and working families.

She asked why at a time of of full employment why would you give the same increase to job seekers?

The minister warned that if the increase is given to job seekers, then there will be less money to go around because her resources are limited.

However, Green Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan said his party believes the payment to job seekers must be increased to the same level as other groups.

Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, he said the payment is important to families and often there are children involved.

He played down any Government budget rows, saying that it was part of the normal process.

Mr Noonan said it was important to have a prudent and progressive budget and the Greens will fight its corner.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that her party wanted child benefit to be a universal payment and much more needed to be done for children living in poverty.

Speaking on the same programme, she said that her party would take an alternative and more holistic route on this, in a "very grassroots way" making big investments in communities, youthwork and community development.

"The communities in which these children live in and grow up have to be supported also," she said.

Ms McDonald said that the poorest of children are very reliant on youth clubs and youth workers and the community infrastructure is absolutely critical to their quality of life and development.

Aontú Leader Peadar Toibin criticised one off payments in the budget saying they are gone like snow off a ditch in the spring.

He said that "rip off Ireland" must be tackled given that this country has the highest electricity costs.

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