Budget criticised for failing to reduce inequality

DISADVANTAGED:Groups working with the disadvantaged have criticised the Budget for failing to reduce inequalities in society and failing to address the specific needs of children, carers and other sectors.

Only the Government-funded Combat Poverty Agency was wholly positive in its assessment, saying the Budget had a "clear emphasis" on maintaining the value of welfare payments and protecting the living standards of those most at risk of poverty.

However, Focus Ireland described the Budget as a missed opportunity to increase the provision of social housing and tackle more effectively growing inequalities in society.

It said social welfare increases were in line with inflation, but this was not enough to help lift the most marginalised out of poverty and contrasted sharply with the "hefty" wage increases recently given to politicians.

Age Action warned the level of pension increases was not enough to insulate many older people from rising food and fuel prices.

It also expressed concern that the fuel allowance had not been increased, though it welcomed the measures for carers.

The Children's Rights Alliance denounced the Budget as a disappointment and said the Minister had shown himself to be "more of a Scrooge than a Santa Cowen".

"If the Tánaiste was serious about eliminating consistent child poverty - a promise already broken this year - he would have targeted the most vulnerable children in our society in today's budget," said alliance chief executive Jillian van Turnhout.

The Simon Community welcomed the specific reference to "supports for homeless services", but said it was unfortunate that no further detail was provided. Both Simon and Threshold said the 11 per cent rise in rent relief was of no benefit to vulnerable people in the private rented sector because rents were rising at over 20 per cent a year.

Social think-tank Tasc welcomed the Budget increases in the old age pension, but criticised the failure to link increases to income in the wider society.

Care Alliance Ireland said the €14-a-week increase for carers would not lift family carers out of poverty. It also claimed about 15,000 carers would continue to be refused an allowance because of the means test. "Carers should not be punished financially for providing care to a family member," said Liam O'Sullivan.