The budget was a disgrace

Monday, 24 January 2011 14:50

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This passed budget has been a disgrace to the people. It has hit themost vulnerable members of our society, especially in the health services.

Those people who depend on the health services to live in some type of respect are now designated to live asthe lowest class citizens in a bankrupt country.

Politicians will state that the downgrading of the disability allowance payments only brings them into linewith the rest of those on social welfare.

However, it should be remembered that these people have very little chance of ever gaining employment that willbetter their incomes and many are so ill they can never be employed again.

Financially those on disabilityallowance have been cut down by €8 a week. That is over two weeks allowance peryear.

To get the budget through therewas a package of cuts for top earners in the public service. The Taoiseach'ssalary is being cut by €14,000. Ministers are taking a further cut of €10,000.President McAleese has informed the Government of her intention to voluntarilyreduce her salary in 2011 to the maximum rate of pay of €250,000 per year.

This is good to print on paper. However, every politician knows their expenses are what make the job worthwhile.

This budget is going to make life harder for the most vulnerable and add more people to the poverty line. This government has not alone bankrupted the country it has also crippled the people and there is no one in the Dublin government buildings willing to change this.

Is mise,

Michael Rooney,

65 McHale Road,

Castlebar.