Budget 2006 - Childcare measures a letdown

Finance Minister Brian Cowen outlined the twin key objectives of sustaining economic growth and providing equality of opportunity for all people in his Budget address yesterday.

He noted that the economy is expected to grow by around 4.8% this year, and predicted that it would grow by between 4.5% and 5% next year.

This has afforded enormous scope for Mr Cowen to implement changes to help the more vulnerable segments of society, such as the elderly and children, as well as those on social welfare.