Irish Travellers Movement

Chapter 2

2. Facilitating Access by All
2.1.   Resources    

While the ITM welcomes the reduction in numbers of those identified as `consistently poor`, we are concerned about the increasing gap between the poorest and the richest in society; the level of "relative poverty", and those "at risk of poverty".

Actions:

• Continue to move progressively towards the agreed NAPS target, to ensure the basic minimum payment of  Eur 185.80 will be met by 2007.
• Ensure the target the lowest social welfare payment to be no less than 30% of the gross average industrial earnings will be met
• Remove those on the minimum wage from the tax net on a permanent basis, and index link the minimum wage rate to increases in average industrial earnings