Want to save the country money?

Ray Palmer

If people actually filled in form before they dealt with the government they would actually save the country a whole lot of money.
It would also mean quicker services. Simple easy option

Anybody think of more?

You can assume all comments about cutting pay to the government, allowance etc... have already been made

Senna

Suicide, if we all kill ourselves the country will be back on its feet in no time.

El Guapo!

It was my money, Father. I just didn't want to fill out the forms.

Fromthetrees

Abort all non perfect fetuses, any terminal illness you must be immediately killed, upon reaching retirement your body is chopped up for food.

That should help thin the herd.

Milk & Honey

We should apply the 20% rule to the public service.

20% cut in numbers.
20% cut in pay.
20% more hours to be worked.
20% longer service before a pension is awarded.

UCDVet

I don't believe that would work.

At my last mandatory visit to a government building, I did fill out a form. Just like the sign said. Government employee didn't bother to look at the form. I got what I needed and left, with my completed form still in hand because they didn't want it.

anncoates

Anybody that bitches about people on the dole sign an affidavit saying they will never take a cent of dole for the rest of their life even if they lose their job.

UCDVet

Fromthetrees wrote: »

Abort all non perfect fetuses, any terminal illness you must be immediately killed, upon reaching retirement your body is chopped up for food.

That should help thin the herd.

Require a license before having children that demonstrate the would-be parents are financially and emotionally ready to raise a child. Otherwise, don't allow it.

Would clear up a lot of problems in 20 years.

Pottler

Stop paying billions to a bunch of cnut Bankers?

Chemical Burn

Abolish Pavee Point
Abolish Women's Council
Abolish Immigrants Council
Abolish Foreign Aid
Abolish Dole for people on it for more than a year, who REFUSE to get a job
Put price of 20 fags up to 15 Euro
Stop non-citizens from removing money from Ireland via cash or bank accounts
Only pay dole to Irish citizens or to foreigners who have been living here for >5 years and working
Abolish Seanad
Decrease ALL tax to a blanket 15%

UCDVet

anncoates wrote: »

Anybody that bitches about people on the dole sign an affidavit saying they will never take a cent of dole for the rest of their life even if they lose their job.

That doesn't seem very fair.

Make the dole an elective form of insurance. Anyone who doesn't pay into the dole system can't ever collect. People who complain about the dole/agree to never collect it/shouldn't have to keep paying for it, should they?

UCDVet

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Abolish Pavee Point
Abolish Women's Council
Abolish Immigrants Council
Abolish Foreign Aid
Abolish Dole for people on it for more than a year, who REFUSE to get a job
Put price of 20 fags up to 15 Euro
Stop non-citizens from removing money from Ireland via cash or bank accounts
Only pay dole to Irish citizens or to foreigners who have been living here for >5 years and working

But then non-citizens will just leave...

and there is a long list of foreign companies and labour-shortages in Ireland. Sure, they enjoy favorable tax rates, but if they can't find qualified employees they'll just leave.

Chemical Burn

anncoates wrote: »

Anybody that bitches about people on the dole sign an affidavit saying they will never take a cent of dole for the rest of their life even if they lose their job.

UCDVet wrote: »

That doesn't seem very fair.

Make the dole an elective form of insurance. Anyone who doesn't pay into the dole system can't ever collect. People who complain about the dole/agree to never collect it/shouldn't have to keep paying for it, should they?

Obviously he was joking / exaggerating, but your idea is still great, UCDVet

woodoo

Milk & Honey wrote: »

We should apply the 20% rule to the public service.

20% cut in numbers.
20% cut in pay.
20% more hours to be worked.
20% longer service before a pension is awarded.

:D:D:D

franktheplank

There's never a biro?

tayto lover

Cut the numbers in the Dail down to 50/60.
Cut the numbers in Seanad Eireann down to 20/30.
Far too many in both houses and no need for them.

Stop paying Child Benefit to families whose earnings exceed 80k.
Stop paying Free Legal Aid except to those found not guilty.

Increase the tax on cigarettes and alcohol as over-indulgence makes people ill and they then clog-up hospitals.

Increase Corporate Tax by 2%.

Stop paying Bondholders and stop paying huge pensions to failed Bankers.

srsly78

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Stop non-citizens from removing money from Ireland via cash or bank accounts
Only pay dole to Irish citizens or to foreigners who have been living here for >5 years and working

This would be an example of discriminatory capital control, which is completely against pretty much every international (not just european) treaty we have signed.

As for your dole suggestion, this is pretty much the case right now but the period is 2 years I think.

Celly Smunt

Yo dogg we heard you have no cash,so we put a tax on a tax,so we can tax while you're being taxed.

UCDVet

tayto lover wrote: »

Cut the numbers in the Dail down to 50/60.
Cut the numbers in Seanad Eireann down to 20/30.
Far too many in both houses and no need for them.

Stop paying Child Benefit to families whose earnings exceed 80k.
Stop paying Free Legal Aid except to those found not guilty.

Increase the tax on cigarettes and alcohol as over-indulgence makes people ill and they then clog-up hospitals.

Increase Corporate Tax by 2%.

Stop paying Bondholders and stop paying huge pensions to failed Bankers.

Obesity has higher associated medical costs than alcohol and I believe it's right on par with smoking.

It seems natural to impose a weight tax too then? Whenever someone buys food we can tack on an extra fee if they are chubby.

EDIT: Apparently, I'm completely wrong. My bad.

Pilotdude5

Bring back Fianna Fáil. Increases the number of Quangos to provide employment.

Chemical Burn

Pilotdude5 wrote: »

Bring back Fianna Fáil. Increases the number of Quangos to provide employment.

Let in more dem fordinerz wen yir at it

srsly78

Cigarettes actually save money on healthcare, because smokers die younger. However the goal of the health system is to increase the health of the population.... The punitive tax is to influence peoples behaviour in this case.

woodoo

tayto lover wrote: »

Cut the numbers in the Dail down to 50/60.
Cut the numbers in Seanad Eireann down to 20/30.
Far too many in both houses and no need for them.

Stop paying Child Benefit to families whose earnings exceed 80k.
Stop paying Free Legal Aid except to those found not guilty.

Increase the tax on cigarettes and alcohol as over-indulgence makes people ill and they then clog-up hospitals.

Increase Corporate Tax by 2%.

Stop paying Bondholders and stop paying huge pensions to failed Bankers.

Do you mean those found guilty. I say take the money out of the offenders dole or wages to pay their own legal aid once convicted. That might soften their cough a bit.

Chemical Burn

woodoo wrote: »

Do you mean those found guilty. I say take the money out of the offenders dole or wages to pay their own legal aid once convicted. That might soften their cough a bit.

+11321321321

tayto lover

woodoo wrote: »

Do you mean those found guilty. I say take the money out of the offenders dole or wages to pay their own legal aid once convicted. That might soften their cough a bit.

I meant that if they're found guilty make them pay.
Take it out of their dole.

UCDVet

srsly78 wrote: »

Cigarettes actually save money on healthcare, because smokers die younger. However the goal of the health system is to increase the health of the population.... The punitive tax is to influence peoples behaviour in this case.

I hadn't heard this and was skeptical - but it seems like there are economists that agree.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-04-08-fda-tobacco-costs_N.htm

and

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/03/22/alcohol-obesity-and-smoking-do-not-cost-health-care-systems-money/

The lifetime costs were in Euros:

Healthy: 281,000

Obese: 250,000

Smokers: 220,000

It didn't include drinking; but we should really remove the tax on smokes.

srsly78

I'm surprised to see that being obese saves on healthcare too!

So free pies+fags for everyone I guess?

tayto lover

srsly78 wrote: »

I'm surprised to see that being obese saves on healthcare too!

So free pies+fags for everyone I guess?

Lets all party

Free one way tickets to Australia - only available to those already on the dole the day the plan is announced (and their families)

Death and Taxes

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Abolish Pavee Point
Abolish Women's Council
Abolish Immigrants Council
Abolish Foreign Aid
Abolish Dole for people on it for more than a year, who REFUSE to get a job
Put price of 20 fags up to 15 Euro
Stop non-citizens from removing money from Ireland via cash or bank accounts
Only pay dole to Irish citizens or to foreigners who have been living here for >5 years and working
Abolish Seanad
Decrease ALL tax to a blanket 15%

Cant stop laughing at that, should be moved to greatest jokes thread!:D:D:D

UCDVet

Deleted User wrote: »

Free one way tickets to Australia - only available to those already on the dole the day the plan is announced (and their families)

I think it'd just be a tax-subsidized vacation for lots of people

Free one-way ticket, stay with a friend/family/group of others, have a good time, catch a cheap flight back on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

mackg

UCDVet wrote: »

Require a license before having children that demonstrate the would-be parents are financially and emotionally ready to raise a child. Otherwise, don't allow it.

Would clear up a lot of problems in 20 years.

Abortions for all!

Apparently...

UCDVet

mackg wrote: »

Abortions for all!

Apparently...

I was thinking of an optional incentive program.

If someone wants to have a child and is ready/willing to apply for a license they'd get all sorts of tax benefits to help them raise the child. Child tax credits, eligibility in social programs and all that jazz.

If someone who isn't able or willing to pass the test and show that they can financially provide for a child - forfeits those benefits. If someone wants to have a child - that is no business of mine....or the governments. But if they want taxes from my pocket to help raise their kid; then it's everyone's concern.

Life isn't predictable. Bad things happen. So if someone falls on hard times, someone who seemed like a good candidate for having a child; let's all chip in and help them.

But if someone isn't financially or emotionally ready - let's not encourage them to have more children. There are people whose full-time career is to produce children and do a poor job of raising them.

mackg

That sounds a lot like penalising children with unfit parents from the off.

shruikan2553

UCDVet wrote: »

I was thinking of an optional incentive program.

If someone wants to have a child and is ready/willing to apply for a license they'd get all sorts of tax benefits to help them raise the child. Child tax credits, eligibility in social programs and all that jazz.

If someone who isn't able or willing to pass the test and show that they can financially provide for a child - forfeits those benefits. If someone wants to have a child - that is no business of mine....or the governments. But if they want taxes from my pocket to help raise their kid; then it's everyone's concern.

Life isn't predictable. Bad things happen. So if someone falls on hard times, someone who seemed like a good candidate for having a child; let's all chip in and help them.

But if someone isn't financially or emotionally ready - let's not encourage them to have more children. There are people whose full-time career is to produce children and do a poor job of raising them.

I had the exact same idea before. We cant stop people from having children but we can give people incentive.

DylanII

Milk & Honey wrote: »

We should apply the 20% rule to the public service.

20% cut in numbers.
20% cut in pay.
20% more hours to be worked.
20% longer service before a pension is awarded.

The thing is that when the private sector employees are looking for a reduction in pay in the public sector they are essentially seeking a pay reduction for the private sector too. If the public service pay is reduced then the private sector doesnt have such a high wage to compete with. So they will offer a lower wage (or wont give any pay increases for a while)

Cut the public service by 20% and that will be 20% more people looking for jobs in the private sector making it harder for you to keep your job or get a new one. And once again pushing the wages down in the private sector.

The public service already pay towards their pension so why bother make them wait longer?

Your selfishness will turn around and bite you in the ass take a huge chunk out of your ass.

And no, Im not in the public sector!

tayto lover wrote: »

Increase Corporate Tax by 2%.

Bad idea, it gives a message to international companies that we are open to the idea of increasing their taxes (one of the main reasons they choose to locate here)

zef

Mandatory abortions for all, while yiz are at it. Save a fortune on child benefit.

tayto lover

zef wrote: »

Mandatory abortions for all, while yiz are at it. Save a fortune on child benefit.

Why not go ahead and cull old people then.

zef

Exactly, cull the unemployed too.
(and i'm currently unemployed)

looksee

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Abolish Pavee Point
Abolish Women's Council
Abolish Immigrants Council
Abolish Foreign Aid
Abolish Dole for people on it for more than a year, who REFUSE to get a job
Put price of 20 fags up to 15 Euro
Stop non-citizens from removing money from Ireland via cash or bank accounts
Only pay dole to Irish citizens or to foreigners who have been living here for >5 years and working
Abolish Seanad
Decrease ALL tax to a blanket 15%

Ah! so Chemical Burn is a settled, male, Irish, employed, highly paid, non-smoker?

Milk & Honey

DylanII wrote: »

The thing is that when the private sector employees are looking for a reduction in pay in the public sector they are essentially seeking a pay reduction for the private sector too. If the public service pay is reduced then the private sector doesnt have such a high wage to compete with. So they will offer a lower wage (or wont give any pay increases for a while)

Cut the public service by 20% and that will be 20% more people looking for jobs in the private sector making it harder for you to keep your job or get a new one. And once again pushing the wages down in the private sector.

The public service already pay towards their pension so why bother make them wait longer?

Your selfishness will turn around and bite you in the ass take a huge chunk out of your ass.

And no, Im not in the public sector!



Bad idea, it gives a message to international companies that we are open to the idea of increasing their taxes (one of the main reasons they choose to locate here)

The private sector pay as little as they can which is well below the public sector levels. The private sector will not be hiring dossers from the public service if public service pay is cut or numbers are reduced.

Public servants do not pay for their own pensions. Their pensions are paid out of current government revenue i.e. by the taxpayer. No way does every public servant contribute to a fund that will pay his pension.

tayto lover

Milk & Honey wrote: »

The private sector pay as little as they can which is well below the public sector levels. The private sector will not be hiring dossers from the public service if public service pay is cut or numbers are reduced.

Public servants do not pay for their own pensions. Their pensions are paid out of current government revenue i.e. by the taxpayer. No way does every public servant contribute to a fund that will pay his pension.

Would you have a link to that please as i'm interested. Thanks.

Chemical Burn

looksee wrote: »

Ah! so Chemical Burn is a settled, male, Irish, employed, highly paid, non-smoker?

Who worked to have what I have.

Milk & Honey

tayto lover wrote: »

Would you have a link to that please as i'm interested. Thanks.

http://www.inmo.ie/Article/PrintArticle/7729
http://www.finance.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/psp/pensch3.htm
http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/vfmreports/68_Central_Gov_Pensions.pdf

666irishguy

I've always thought we should have something like a Civil Works Corps or a construction army in other words, which would basically be a body of 20-30,000 construction workers who would construct all state projects such as motorways, hospitals, etc. There would be places for graduate engineers and other over-seers to design and coordinate the works. They would have a capped wage, which may not match the private sector, but it would not be meager. It would result in guaranteed work for a lot of people who need jobs badly these days. It would put an end to the laughable tendering process that sees construction firms just screw the state for government money.

Ledger

Milk & Honey wrote: »

The private sector pay as little as they can which is well below the public sector levels. The private sector will not be hiring dossers from the public service if public service pay is cut or numbers are reduced.

Public servants do not pay for their own pensions. Their pensions are paid out of current government revenue i.e. by the taxpayer. No way does every public servant contribute to a fund that will pay his pension.

Public sector dossers? No. Come down, that horse doesn't look steady.

And no Im not a public servant.

looksee

Chemical Burn wrote: »

Who worked to have what I have.

Indeed, and weren't you lucky in your accidents of birth, and opportunities.

Durz0 Blint

1. More immigration
We have the agricultural capacity to support a much higher population than we currently do.

2.Increased investment in third level education.
A well educated population is key to success in a world where more and more manual work is being outsourced.

As a rough rule of thumb countries with higher populations are more economically powerful (excluding africa), more likely to produce great minds that define new paradigms and shape the future and are able to better stand up for themselves in the political landscape.

This would probably take us about 100 years of immigration to achieve though.

woodoo

Milk & Honey wrote: »

Public servants do not pay for their own pensions. Their pensions are paid out of current government revenue i.e. by the taxpayer. No way does every public servant contribute to a fund that will pay his pension.

I pay 3 separate pension contributions and i'm a public servant.

Milk & Honey

woodoo wrote: »

I pay 3 separate pension contributions and i'm a public servant.

Into what fund?
Deductions shown on a payslip do not mean payments into a fund.
What fund are you paying into?
Who manages it?
What are the benefits?
Do the benefits depend on the performance of the fund?

Who do you think you are fooling?

Annasopra

Milk & Honey wrote: »

We should apply the 20% rule to the public service.

20% cut in numbers.
20% cut in pay.
20% more hours to be worked.
20% longer service before a pension is awarded.

And this causes more unemployment, more deflation and longer recession - yep great idea B-)