Charities not impressed

The general response to Budget 2020 from local charities has been less than positive.

According to St Vincent de Paul, improvements in targeted supports for vulnerable groups in Budget 2020 are “very positive”, but overall the social welfare measures are insufficient.

“To mitigate the potential impact of Brexit on the poorest households, the Government needed to be proactive and increase social welfare rates for those most at risk of income inadequacy,” said SVP Head of Social Justice and Policy, Dr Tricia Keilthy.

She added: “The failure to do so means hundreds and thousands of households, who are already struggling, will fall even further behind. For the same reasons, we are concerned and disappointed we did not hear any announcement in relation to the proposed increase to the national minimum wage.”

ALONE, a charity that supports older people to age at home, was also frustrated by a lack of further support in the areas of pensions and home supports, while welcoming initiatives such as the increase to the living alone allowance.

“The decision to deny older people any increase to their pension is hugely frustrating,” said ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan.

“Many people assume that older people have their financial needs met by their state pension. Financial hardship is often a hidden issue among older people, yet it is the third most frequent reason older people contact ALONE,” he concluded.