The fear factor

Despite the fact that the country is now officially out of recession, we are all bracing ourselves for another austerity budget. We asked our Facebook friends if they were worried about what Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has planned for October 15. Here’s an edited selection of some of the comments we received.

Sean Tyrrell: When the Taoiseach put a primary school teacher as Finance Minister instead of somebody with an economics degree or someone with experience in the financial sector, there is always reason to worry about the budget.

Jamie Wade: I always worry about what the budget brings being one of the 415,000 unemployed in this recession-free country. Don’t make me laugh. Bad enough that my rent increased; they put a charge on the medical card for antibiotics; dental care is non-existent; and having to pay

?¬160 a year for a TV licence to keep those fat cats in RTE happy. The next thing will probably be a water meter and even though I’ve social housing I’ll probably have to pay property tax eventually if they get their way. And at a guess they will probably reduce social welfare next month, so what I would like to say is I’ve no more to give.

Natasha Skelly: Once again the ordinary citizens will suffer. The ones who are responsible for the situation we are in will get off scott free.

Grace Costigan (Sinn Féin): People in our community are very worried. Most families are already just managing to keep their heads above water or have already been clinging on. The manner in which the budget is speculated over in the media adds to already very real fears. Further austerity policies will increase the need for individuals and families to choose which essential spending they must forgo. Will it be food or medicine, education or heating? Everyone knows our national budget is limited but there are choices for the Government not to cut in a disproportionate way towards the most vulnerable groups in society. It’s entirely possible to gender and equality proof our budgets if the desire is there from Labour and Fine Gael.

Frances Mansfield: I think it is disgraceful the way services for the disadvantaged have been cut, particularly to those who are incapacitated. These are the most vulnerable people in our society and need to be protected. Why don’t they reduce the big pensions of those people who were responsible for the situation? It is the ordinary citizen who is suffering.

Martin Moran: Disgusting what they have inflicted on the Irish people for their own greed. They are all part of the elite.

Pauline Georgina Reynolds: Jesus, what else can the Government take off us as it has taken nearly everything already.

Wayne Flanagan Tobin: The Labour Party has left families with no choice but to worry. This coalition has attacked the most vulnerable such as those with mental health difficulties, SNAs and youth groups while allowing small businesses to collapse, too.