Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise and Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said that Fine Gael celebrating the deferral of sick leave increases and a paltry increase in the minimum wage tells you everything you need to know about their attitude to workers on ordinary wages.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“In our alternative budget, Sinn Féin prioritised workers on ordinary wages bringing them out of the USC, proposing a €1.10 increase in the minimum wage as well as a quarter of a billion euros for supports for businesses employing workers on or close to the minimum wage.

“Our PRSI rebate would make a real sustainable difference for SMEs. Instead of once-off payments, we believe that business needs a sustainable support that will assist with the cost of doing business.

“This is in stark contrast to Fine Gael who are so far out of ideas that they are advertising the deferral of increased sick leave for workers as a big win. Seeing the posts on social media of Fine Gael reps celebrating the deferral of sick leave entitlements for workers was very telling.

“Every budget is about choices – Fine Gael consistently chose to prioritise corporate landlords, vulture funds and high earners over workers on ordinary wages.”