Cork Labour councillors outline alternative budget based on ‘equality and fairness’

The Labour Party’s alternative budget is about equality and fairness, highlighting the improvements it would bring to families across the city, the party’s Cork councillors have said.

Ciara O’Connor, Cork City South West councillor, said that in Cork city parents are being “hammered by sky-high childcare bills, carers are locked out of vital supports, and young couples are stuck in endless rental cycles with no chance of buying their own home.”

“Meanwhile, this Government congratulates itself on record corporation tax returns and pretends everything is fine. It’s not fine, it’s a crisis.

“Labour’s alternative budget is about fairness. It would deliver a €16 increase in core weekly social welfare rates, index income tax and USC bands to protect workers from inflation, and fund targeted energy supports for 1.2 million households — paid for by a windfall tax on energy companies and data centres who are raking in profits while households shiver.

“Rather than waste this boom on short-term giveaways and VAT cuts for the hospitality sector, Labour would prioritise long-term investment in the services that matter — childcare, education, housing and healthcare.”

Easier to get a GP

Her party colleague in Cork City North West, John Maher, said that their alternative budget would make it easier to get a GP.

“No child’s health should be determined by their parents’ ability to pay. Labour’s alternative budget will change that, by extending free GP care to every child aged 8–12 and phasing in universal access for all under-18s within two years.

“At present, access to GP care is patchy and deeply unfair. Some families across Cork’s northside are lucky enough to have reliable GP services nearby, while others face long waits or cannot find a local doctor taking on patients.

“Labour’s plan will expand funding to disadvantaged communities, increase the urban social deprivation grant by €10m, and establish a €20m GP fund to set up new practices in areas of greatest need, and increase GP training places by 20 per year,” he said.

Sports

Peter Horgan in Cork City South East highlighted the party’s proposal to introduce standard rate tax relief on sports club and gym memberships, capped at €500 per person.

“Sport and exercise are vital for our health, our wellbeing, and for the strength of our communities. Yet I hear from families in Cork city all the time who are struggling to keep up with rising membership fees. The cost of living crisis is squeezing households, and too often sport and exercise are the first things to go.

“This is about fairness — participation in sport should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,” said Mr Horgan.

“Every euro invested in sport and physical activity is money saved in the health service. Supporting people to be active helps to prevent chronic illness, boosts mental health, reduces obesity, and builds stronger, more connected communities.”