‘Nothing is being done for working couples’
FOR mother-of-four Bernie Stenson and her husband Barry, Budget 2019 is a petty attempt to keep everyone happy for an impending election.
The advanced practitioner at a Dublin hospital believes any tax breaks to which her family are entitled won’t make a dent on their costly monthly expenses.
“My husband and I work extremely hard to support our family and benefiting from an extra €150 in tax relief isn’t going to have much of an impact at all.
“I feel like nothing is being done for working couples. Thank God we bought our house when we did because there’s not a chance we would be able to save for a mortgage while taking care of our family. My four-year-old will benefit from the increase in the GP visitor card, but this will be minuscule.
“It seems like this was simply an election Budget created to keep everyone reasonably happy.”
Ms Stenson added that, in her profession, nurses’ pay is so bad that thousands continue to flee the country in search of better conditions.
“At first glance it looks like a lot of money is going towards health, but they’re not saying where abouts,” she added. “We’re always throwing money at the health sector but don’t seem any closer to solving this crisis.
“It’s October already, and we don’t even have a winter plan.
“I’m very disappointed the Budget has nothing significant for nurses. The rate they’re leaving here is extraordinary. I don’t blame them.
“They work incredibly hard, and the wage they’re on makes it impossible for them to save for a mortgage or have any real lifestyle. It’s so disheartening, and hospital conditions aren’t going to get any better until nurses are paid sufficiently.”