IBEC director claims Govt. should be congratulated; SVP say 'elements can be welcomed'
Director General of business group IBEC Danny McCoy has welcoming the budget saying the Government should be congratulated.
Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin announced plans, including a property tax, to help the country ‘emerge from crisis’, and while IBEC acknowledged that the Budget was tough, they say it was step further to getting the country back on track.
"The last year has seen Irish economic fortunes improve and 85% of the planned fiscal adjust has now taken place. If we can get growth back into the economy, future budgets will be a lot easier," McCoy said.
"How it has been done is not as bad as forecast for lots of people...It's a proportionate budget in very difficult times."
Meanwhile, Saint Vincent de Paul said the abolition of PRSI credit will have a severe effect on social welfare recipients and those on low pay.
A SVP statement added: “While there are elements of the budget that can be welcomed, such as the protection of basic social welfare rates and those changes designed to generate employment, the changes that impose more hardship on those who are ill, struggling on social welfare or low pay, is to be deeply regretted.”
Sean Moynihan, CEO of the ALONE charity commented that they are "extremely concerned about a rise in the number of older people who will require assistance and support from us and other charities. We see on the ground the impact of austerity on older people with a 50% increase in demand on our services last year and 23% this year.”
