Cuts hit needy here and abroad

FIANNA Fáil, in opposition, once infamously claimed that spending cuts would “hurt the old, the sick and the handicapped” before setting out to do just that in government.

History seems destined to repeat itself. In his budget speech last December, Brian Cowen acknowledged the changing economic winds, but pledged the Government would “protect the incomes of the vulnerable, support ordinary working people” and “help homebuyers”.

If anything, Government inaction in the interim has led to the grim situation of ordinary workers and young homeowners becoming quantifiably worse, while the few actions the Government has taken, announced this week, have included direct attacks on the welfare of the vulnerable. One-third of Mr Cowen’s cutbacks are in health, including an €85 million cut in nursing home support for the elderly which accounts for 60% of all health cuts. Not content with attacking the needy here in Ireland, there has also been a cut of €45m in overseas development aid which will curtail the relief work of organisations working in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The bloated public service will continue to exist and HSE fat-cats will continue to get bonuses. Ministerial pay hikes have been postponed (not cancelled), pointless junior ministers will still be paid their generous stipends and the cabinet will still spend millions on PR and consultants’ reports.

Meanwhile, the Government will pare back on assistance to the elderly and to the most destitute people in the world.

It truly was a Black Tuesday for the most vulnerable people to whom the Government has a duty of care.

Barry Walsh

Brooklawn

Clontarf

Dublin 3