Sinn Féin will not allow workers plan for their futures – Byrne

People who work hard and contribute to the wellbeing of this country will be punished for planning for their future by Sinn Féin, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Maria Byrne said that plans outlined in Sinn Féin’s alternative budget attack middle income workers by removing the pension contribution tax relief.

“Sinn Féin clearly don’t believe in long term planning. Any worker who’s preparing for the future with a private pension will be punished for their forward thinking under Sinn Féin, by taking away tax relief on these contributions.

“They also voted against the auto-enrolment bill earlier this year, showing just how little they care about workers.

“It is clear nobody has a future under Sinn Fein,” Senator Byrne said.

Sinn Fein say they will increase the minimum wage by €1.10 in their alternative Budget.

“Fair enough but now they need to explain it,” the Fine Gael General Election candidate said.

“It’s unclear where Sinn Fein is finding a figure of €1.10. The Government sets the minimum wage on the advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC), which has representatives from workers and employers. The LPC has not even published its report yet.

“Where has this figure come from?

“Sinn Fein have also forgotten to cost for increasing the PRSI threshold for employers, meaning employers would be hit twice by the minimum wage increase.

“It Is clear Sinn Fein doesn’t reward those who work hard and don’t want you to plan for the future”, concluded Senator Byrne.