The quality of Ireland’s aid is internationally renowned for its strong poverty reduction focus, and Ireland’s ODA budget is responsible for life-changing and life-saving interventions in some of the world’s most difficult environments.

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) stated that Budget 2018 has given modest improvements for some but failed to get to grips with the scale of the crises needing to be addressed.

“The latest figures clearly show the homeless crisis is continuing to deepen and the government really needs to have this issue at the top of its agenda” – Focus Ireland.

A study conducted by SJI, shows that while there should be no net reduction in tax in Budget 2018, the impact of some proposals currently being considered would be what it called “profoundly unfair” because they favour only those with higher incomes.

“Budget 2018 should be designed so that it is both economically sound and socially fair. These twin objectives are both realistic and achievable. However, they need to be underpinned by a clear policy commitment to achieving both” – Dr Seán Healy.