Thousands of families ‘left without hope’

THE budget “screwed” middle-class families, attacked the vulnerable, did little for jobs and bailed out the banks, the opposition has said.

Speaking during statements on the issue in the Dáil, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said the budget had “destroyed the hopes” of thousands of families.

“An average family with two children will pay e4,600 a year, bringing the total deduction from their income to e7,000 when added to the tax increases last October,” he said. “The Government has screwed middle-income families and rewarded banks.”