Mixed reaction to Budget 2025 in Carlow and Kilkenny

Government’s coming under fire for what some are calling a ‘disappointing’ Budget.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers has been defending yesterday’s spend announcement.

And while there are a number of provisions to be welcomed (full breakdown here), a number of sector representatives are unhappy feeling they’ve been left short – hospitality and tourism had hoped for a move on pleas to reduce VAT while the National Youth Council of Ireland says not enough has been done to deal with housing issues facing young people.

Concern Worldwide’s Chief Executive, David Regan, said: “The increase in ODA does not reflect the reality of humanitarian need in the world in 2024. Ireland’s tax take and planned budget expenditure are now at record levels and Ireland has both the means and the responsibility to meet its stated ambition to leave no one behind. While the ODA budget has increased by 4.5%, the planned expenditure has risen by 8%. Ireland should be seeking to do proportionately more and not proportionately less to assist those in need around the world. While Ireland’s overseas development budget is welcomed, we are falling short of meeting our global responsibilities as an increasingly wealthy country.”

The early childcare sector too feels provisions have been left short – Mick Kenny is with the Association of Childhood Professionals and works in the north Kilkenny area – he’s among those due to meet with senior politicians today and has been telling KCLR News some of what his sector will relay to them;

Local frontline workers too say they’re intrigued by the promised extra 1,000 Gardaí and 150 Garda civilian staff as well as 350 additional numbers for the Irish Prison Services, 400 more military personnel, 768 additional special education teachers and 1,600 more Special Needs Assistants.

While in healthcare, the provision of 140 more beds is being welcomed – there’s18 more for Kilcreene Orthopeadic while St Columba’s in Thomastown has 95 on the way and St Luke’s General Hospital’s to get 28.

The numbers of people waiting on a bed at St Luke’s have decreased significantly in recent months and Carlow Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness says that trajectory looks set to continue, noting; “The figures will be brought down, there is a constant development of services through the health service and through our local hospital so it’s equally important that we increase the number of beds that we increase in infrastructure and that we continue to work as a team in Carlow and Kilkenny with the hospitals to ensure that the best possible services are delivered to the population within those two counties and beyond”.

On a special The KCLR Daily today our Brian Redmond’s been joined by a host of people;

Part One

Beginning with Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning and Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Alan Dillon, Kilkenny Labour Councillor Seán Ó hArgáin and Gerry Farrell of Castle View Financial Services;

Part Two
Carlow’s People Before Profit Councillor Adrienne Wallace joins the conversation, she believes Government attempted to ‘buy votes’ as the General Election date declaration looms but Minister of State and local Green TD Malcolm Noonan doesn’t agree;

Part Three

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue thinks children and families were at the heart of the announcement with good news too for those in the farming – sector – Patricia Stevenson, who’s hoping to run for the Social Democrats in the General Election for the Carlow Kilkenny constituency, doesn’t believe that holds up;

Part Four

Our 26-year-old presenter Shannon Redmond talks of the interest level among younger people and impact of the Budget on her peers while some listeners came on air seeking answers to questions;

Part Five

Ciarán Dunphy of DNG Estate Agents looks at the Budget provisions for those in the market to buy or sell homes;

Part Six

Managing Director of Optimise Recruitment Eoin Carey is interested in the announcement that extra personnel are to be hired in a range of organisations;