Social ills ‘still needto be tackled’

THE organisation representing religious leaders welcomed the Estimates, but said the Government would have to allocate sufficient resources in next month’s Budget to tackle serioussocial problems.

Fr Seán Healy, director of the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI) justice commission, said the Estimates had contained many welcome initiatives, such as increased funding for social housing, primary healthcare and overseas development aid.

“However, much remains to be done and it is clear there are sufficient resources available for allocation in next month’s Budget to address the social problems that persist despite more than a decade of economic prosperity,” he said.