Budget 2024

Cutting USC is attempt to ‘buy a few votes’ by government, Holly Cairns says at Social Democrats think-in

Cairns repeated calls she previously made in the Business Post for reform of the food subsidy system

Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats answering a question at the press briefing. Also featured from left, Gary Gannon and Cian O’Callaghan. Picture: Norma Burke

Holly Cairns has hit out at government plans to cut the universal social charge in the upcoming budget, saying it is a ploy to “buy a few votes”.

The Social Democrats leader and TD for Cork South West was speaking to reporters at the party’s think-in in Dublin this morning, where the party held sessions focusing on the affordability gap in housing provision; the cost of living emergency for low and middle income families; pathways ...