Budget bites

THE Government’s failure to prioritise homelessness in this year’s budget was a missed opportunity to help some of the most vulnerable people in the country, charities said.

Noeleen Hartigan, social policy and research coordinator with the Simon Communities said: “We are disappointed that housing and homelessness was not a priority for Government in today’s budget.”

Focus Ireland chief executive Declan Jones said: “We are disappointed this Budget hasn’t done more for people who are homeless and over 48,000 households who are still waiting for provision of social housing.”