Social apartheid is an alarming problem

LATEST figures show the gap between rich and poor in Ireland is growing at an alarming rate in spite of so-called economic prosperity.

St Vincent de Paul are stretched to the limits this Christmas with ever increasing demands on their resources. This is a terrible indictment of the Government’s attitude to the social apartheid that still exists here.

Previous budgets have been all about looking after affluent members of this two-tiered society.

Only crumbs were offered to the poor. Ten percent own 90% of our wealth and nine out of every ten people are up to their eyeballs in debt.

The lifestyle of Government members is getting more luxurious every pay-indexed day while ordinary people are being hammered by price increases.

The scales of economic justice weigh heavily on the side of the business elite. The Celtic Tiger was an illusion created by a confetti-like credit splurge giving a false impression of a boom.

Anthony Woods

5 Marian Avenue

Ennis

Co Clare