Leesiders share differing opinions on a 'lacklustre' budget

Friends Zoe O’Driscoll and Sarah O’Dwyer, who both work in the health service, have differing views on Budget 2027. Picture: Chani Anderson

Talk of the budget was fairly muted on Cork City’s streets on Wednesday, with one woman describing Tuesday's announcement as “lacklustre". 

But there was also recognition of some efforts the government is making to provide supports while balancing the books. And there was some anger too.

Ann Dennehy was very disappointed that the State pension had only increased by €10 per week, bringing it to above €300 for the first time.

Although she does not qualify for the living alone allowance, she said the €3 increase per week “wouldn’t even buy you a cup of coffee".

“Pensioners everywhere are struggling. I’d like them [the government] to live on it for a week."

She believes that free GP care should be linked to the pension, rather than leaving people who have retired in their 60s having to wait until they are 70 to qualify for free GP care.

The €1 increase in cigarettes will only encourage people to buy more cigarettes whenever they’re abroad, she said.

Jennifer Dennehy said that from what she’s heard of the budget so far, there is not much that would benefit her.

Meanwhile, everything has gone up in price, from a cup of coffee to clothes to food, she said.

“They could have gotten rid of the USC [Universal Social Charge] — they brought it in to get us out of the recession, it should be done away with,” she said.

Although this year's health budget is the largest ever, exceeding €29bn, the population has increased too, Zoe O’Driscoll, a nurse working in Cork University Hospital, said.

"Acute care is definitely suffering, and it's from a lack of investment, and over a long period of time. The infrastructure isn't there, the resources aren't there, either personnel or facilities," Ms O'Driscoll said.

But the changes to childcare costs — with maximum monthly fees due to fall to €550 — will be of some benefit to parents, she said.

Jennifer Dennehy, who was interviewed with her mother Ann, said USC should have been abolished and that Budget 2027 offers little for people on lower incomes. Picture: Chani Anderson

Sarah O’Dwyer, a GP, said she believes the government is doing a good job overall.

“We can't have everything instantly. Certainly from a GP perspective, they rolled out universal contraception up to age 35, that's going to be up to age 37 soon," she said.

“They already extended free GP care for children up to 8. Hopefully, we'll work towards universal healthcare for everybody.

“It's slow progress but there have been definite improvements.

“I wouldn't be pro any particular party, but let's give them their term to see can they fulfil their promises.

“And they don’t have infinite money. They were saying they’ve invested in Metrolink, there’s huge flood relief projects going on, but the public do not see the benefits of those projects immediately."

Claire Cahill said that most people have a lot to be grateful for, regardless of the budget.

“My father was a painter, if it was raining there was no work, no social welfare. So I never complain, I’m grateful for what they give me.

“It upsets me when people complain and complain. We’re all in the one boat, we have to pay doctors fees, heat the house, but I’m managing. I feel health is wealth."

Claire Cahill says she is happy with Budget 2027 and believes that if you have your health, you have your wealth. Picture: Chani Anderson

She had just come from lunch in a pub where plenty of old people complaining about the cost of living were still sitting there drinking alcohol, she said.

“If they’re so bad, why are they in the pub drinking?” 

Well known former Cork DJ, Michael Twomey, known widely as DJ Mucca, said he would give up the increases he saw in the budget to provide more supports to children with disabilities.

“My godson is special needs — the €10 extra they’re giving me, I think that should go to help children with special needs,” he said.

David Geaney, a commerce student, said the €150 extra rent tax credit will help renters like him.

But housing is still a huge concern for many students, he said.

The 79c increase on the minimum wage, bringing it to €14.94 an hour, will help students who are also working, he said.

And the student contribution fee, which will be cut by €150, reducing it to €2,350, and a 4.5% increase in Susi maintenance grants would also help students. he said.

“More money in your pocket, you wouldn’t say no,” he said.

But if he were holding the purse strings he would not have implemented the recent hikes to public transport fees, which he felt were regressive. 

Michael Twomey, otherwise known as DJ Mucca, said he would give up the increases he saw in the budget to provide more supports to children with disabilities. Picture: Chani Anderson

Michael O’Mahony was smoking a cigarette on Oliver Plunkett Street as his vape was out of battery.

The €1 increase on a packet of 20 cigarettes and the 20c per millilitre hike on the duty charged on vape e-liquids will have an impact, he said, especially on people who are already struggling financially.

“Lacklustre,” is how one woman, who asked not to be named, described the budget.

“There’s nothing in it for me. I’m a volunteer and the petrol price really impacts me.” 

She said that excise cuts to fuel, which were extended until next year in the budget, were barely noticeable as fuel costs have become so high. 

“I think the government is out of touch with people’s reality on the ground," she said.