AS THE main points of the austerity budget were being unveiled on Wednesday, Limerick’s voluntary suicide prevention patrol was preparing for a night of watching the river to help people who have been driven to despair. “There are a lot of people just hanging on by their fingertips and this budget will send them over the edge. We really feel we have to be out there tonight,” said Paul Hogan. one of the organisers of the Corbett Response and Search group.
Meanwhile in the District Court, budget week saw three middle-aged women, lone parents with no previous convictions were prosecuted for stealing firelighters and milk from a shop.
Among the measures bound to have an effect on the marginalised is a €10 cut in child benefit and a reduction in the period of payment for job seekers benefit from twelve to nine months. The prescription charge for medical card holders has been trebled from 50 cent to €1.50 per item.
It is estimated that changes to PRSI will cost workers an estimated €264 a year.
There will be a 10 cent increase on a packet of cigarettes, a 10 cent increase on the price of a pint of beer and spirits and a €1 rise in excise on wine.
There will be no increase in the cost of petrol or diesel but from May of next year, an increase in carbon tax will make home heating oil more expensive.
One piece of budget good news for the city is expected to be confirmed next week with Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan indicating that Limerick will get €27 million of a national allocation of €80 million for regeneration.
“That is a large portion of the entire spend on regeneration and it shows that there is a serious commitment to regeneration”, the Minister told the Limerick Post.
Corporation tax remains unchanged and Minister Noonan announced the building of hangers and ancillary facilities to attract new aviation companies in a measure intended to help Shannon airport.
Maria Kelly, Limerick Chamber CEO says the Chamber welcomes the SME incentives outlined by Minister Noonan.
She told Limerick Post: “A strong small and medium sized sector is critical to the long-term sustainability of the Irish economy and this sector needs government support.”
