Budget 2015 must be about children to reverse seven years of shame

Budget 2015 presents a crucial opportunity to support a real and sustainable recovery — but only if the right choices are made.

As the first post-austerity Budget, there is much clamouring about which area deserves some respite. Business interests have been loud and clear about what they want: Tax cuts for higher incomes. Yet Social Justice Ireland research indicates a decrease in the top tax rate would benefit higher earners only. What would we be saying about our values if we ignore the plight of those neglected during the recession and now left behind by the first green shoots of recovery?

One in 10 children in Ireland live on a low income and without access to basic necessities, according to the latest figures. Barnardos and the Society of St Vincent de Paul work directly with families who have borne the brunt of the cuts imposed during the recession. They have seen their benefits whittled down, while access to essential services such as healthcare and education has been reduced due to funding cuts. This is the real impact of seven years of austerity measures and efforts to reverse this frankly shameful statistic must be at the forefront of any so-called recovery Budget. Budget 2015 must aim to reverse the damage done to too many families and instead seek to build a long-term, sustainable recovery for the whole of society.

Fergus Finlay

Barnardos

Christchurch Square, Dublin 8

John-Mark McCafferty

Society of St Vincent de Paul

91-92 Sean MacDermott Street

Dublin 1