The Government should stop "susidising" private hospitals and instead re-direct the money into the State health service as part of a root-and-branch reform of the system, according to Sinn Féin.
In its pre-Budget submission announced this morning, the party called for a reform of the tax system for both corporate and income tax payers; an increase in funding for social housing; large social welfare and child benefit increases and improved access to education.
Despite "enormous advantages" that no previous government in the State has enjoyed, the current coalition has "scandalousy squandered" the opportunity to address inequality, the party’s sole Dáil TD Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said.
He said the current slowdown in the economy would have little effect on the wealthier members of society. "But for those on average or below average incomes, the economic slowdown is already a reality they are ill-equipped to deal with, thanks to the failure of the Government to use economic growth to create equality," he said.
The party was particularly critical of the Government’s management of the health service, saying that poor planning and underfunding had led to staff shortages, a loss of hospital beds and other services and long waiting lists.
"People are literally dying on these waiting lists and that is one of the biggest scandals of all in a modern economy," the party’s health spokesman, Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh said.
Mr Ó Snodaigh called for better management of existing resources, saying some rural hospitals had the capacity to service some of Dublin’s needs.
"One of the solutions is additional funding to row back the years of cut-backs," he said.
He also decried the "two-tier system" of health provision saying the "private hospital system appears to br continuously funded by the Government".
He said while there was a need for short-term solutions, only long-term planning and better management could eventually lead to "free health care for all, funded from central general revenue".
The party also called "radical measures" to bring down the income tax burden for the lower paid and a freeze on tax cuts for higher earners.
Mr Ó Caoláin called for the restoration of 40 per cent Capital Gains Tax by next April rising to 60 per cent in 2003. He said owners of more than one house should be exempt for 12 months to encourage them to increase the supply of houses to the market.
Dublin Coucillor Mr Seán Crowe said there should be a significant investment in social housing to reduce local authority housing lists. "Seventy per cent of applicants should be provided with suitable housing accomodation with in the next two years," he said.
He said land speculators were still distorting the supply of land for building programmes and criticise the Government for selling State-owned property while the country was in the midst of a housing crisis.
The party also called for:
- An increase in the basic social welfare payment by £14 a week for a single person and £24 for couples
- Front loading of the Government's commitment to spend £1bn over three years on child benefits and the allocation of funds raised from the collection of unpaid DIRT for childcare provision
- Provide maintainance grants for lower-income students attending third level education and funding to improve primary, secondary and adult education provision