The Government's record on childcare is a "scandal" that must be addressed in next month's Budget, the leader of the State's biggest trade union has claimed.
SIPTU president Mr Jack O'Connor also attacked the Government's "sorry record" on personal taxation, which he said had placed an unfair burden on lower and middle income families.
Addressing a regional conference of the union in Waterford at the weekend, Mr O'Connor said the Budget would be the "litmus test" of the substance of recent "people-centred" utterings from the Taoiseach and others.
"We have been told to expect a Budget that will reflect a Government change of heart from the previous adherence to the business agenda. If it matches up on the social side to the expectation now being encouraged in that respect, we will welcome such progressive measures."
Mr O'Connor claimed the coalition's priority on personal taxation to date had been to give maximum relief to those on maximum incomes. "SIPTU's critical and principle demand to increase tax credits by €550 at a cost of €700 million is no more than what is needed for the Government to fulfil its commitments on personal taxation." For low-paid workers it was essential that the health levy threshold be increased by €479.
SIPTU's demands to increase the income exemption level for PRSI and the PRSI-free allowance were essential for meeting its commitments, he said. He asked what "greater scandal" there could be than the Government's "abysmal failure" on childcare. Failure to make adequate childcare provision, and its prohibitive cost, were forcing more women out of the workforce.
"And is it any wonder? Childcare costs in Dublin amount to more than one half the average female industrial earnings, which is why SIPTU is also demanding tax relief on childcare costs."
