Workers Party Regional Spokesperson Nicola Grant commenting on the Draft Three Year Budget said the Workers Party will make a detailed submission to the Public Consultation Document.
Ms Grant said at the moment the future of our much needed public services is certainly not looking bright. It should be a matter of great public concern that the three year financial plan has not been approved by the Executive and that parties in the mandatory coalition have issued press statements expressing their disagreement with the financial allocation for their respective ministries. Whilst it is right to move away from one year budget plans, as always the devil is in the details. The figures for each department do not seem to be inflation proofed.
The health service is already at a minus figure for the next financial year because of pay parity and the commitment made by the Executive parties that parity would be maintained. It would be scandalous if health service staff were once again let down by our political leadership. That is only one of the problems facing our health and social care services and the crisis is growing day by day.
Ms Grant added there were many promises made by the Executive on a wide range of issues including special education needs for children, childcare costs, good jobs commitments, workers rights, public housing and homelessness. It would seem that those promises cannot be met on those projected budget allocations.
Ms Grant finished by saying it is not really appropriate for the finance minister to tell the public he is open to listening to suggestions, when that really means you choose, here is the knife make the cuts yourselves. Robbing Peter to pay Paul is really not an acceptable financial strategy .