Dublin: Ireland’s government, led by Simon Harris’s coalition, is set to unveil its budget for the coming year today. Expectations are high as the country looks to see whether the latest fiscal plan will address pressing issues such as child poverty, social welfare, housing, and the rising cost of living.
Charities and advocacy groups have strongly urged the government to prioritise the welfare of children and measures to combat poverty. At the same time, the Parliamentary Budget Office has issued a cautionary note on the risks of increasing government spending, highlighting the need for fiscal restraint.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the poverty rate last year stood at 10.6%, with an income threshold of €318 per week per adult in 2023.
Children in Focus:
Experts and child welfare organisations are particularly concerned about the growing number of families and children falling into poverty. Barnardos, a prominent children’s charity, has called for the establishment of a minimum basic standard of living to address long-standing unmet needs. They argue that the current standards for welfare and support have been neglected over time, leaving vulnerable families behind.
Social Welfare and Inflation:
Social Justice Ireland, a leading advocacy group, is calling for a €25 increase in all social welfare rates to help individuals and families cope with inflationary pressures. The organisation insists that small-scale measures will not provide a long-term solution to the growing challenges faced by many Irish households.
As the budget is announced, all eyes will be on the government’s response to these calls for greater investment in social supports, with a particular focus on how it plans to tackle poverty, protect the most vulnerable, and ensure a more equitable standard of living for all.
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