Reaction the budget from politicians has been split along party lines, with critics saying the government “ignored” ordinary families and struggling workers.
Government representatives have defended the package of measures included in the largest Budget in the history of the state.
There’s set to be a 17 billion euro budget deficit next year, with the government confirming it will look to spend its way out of the recession caused by the ongoing pandemic.
And while this will inlcude increased spending in health and housing, as well as major supports for business, there are criticisms about some of the government’s choices.
Clare’s Sinn Fein TD Violet-Anne Wynne feels it’s a budget that will punish ordinary people.
However, the government was never going to be able to do everything it wanted to do in this budget, according to the Minister for Public Expenditure.
Michael McGrath has been addressing criticism towards the budget – particularly towards the choice not to give an increase to social welfare payments.
Clare’s Green Party Senator has said that paying increased carbon taxes now will cost a lot less than the penalties that will be imposed on Ireland for not meeting emissions targets.
Roisin Garvey has also insisted that measures to counteract this, including fuel allowance increases, mean the measure is fair
Meanwhile, Clare’s Independent TD has accused the government of “playing with statistics” when crunching the budget numbers.
€38 million extra is said to have been earmarked for a national mental health strategy – but Michael McNamara claims €12 million of this is being matched with existing level services.
The Scariff-based Deputy believes describing the funding as additional money for the sector is ‘deceitful’.
