‘Managing’ keeps our heads above water but it doesn’t give us any breathing space

SIR, A former minister for finance , when asked if we should renegotiate our unpayable debt, just as the Greeks had done, replied: “We can manage.”

Well here we are, 10 years on from the start of our financial crash and lo and behold we are not managing.

Our health system is so dysfunctional that all previous records have been smashed, we have a housing crisis, a homeless crisis and workers are still on less income than they were 10 years ago.

We exited the recession over two years ago, according to our government. We will finally balance the books this year after a decade of austerity and still manage to service our €200 billion debt, laying aside seven or eight billion to pay the interest only on this debt.

So we are grand. Happy days are here again, if we believe all this spin.

Why then are those relying on State services on ever-extending waiting lists? Children are waiting for eye and ear tests, and essential dental treatment, carers are in dire stress, the elderly need more home help. The list goes on.

But we have been told we can manage. The ‘we’ l’m afraid is far from inclusive and all encompassing.

We have the HAP scheme in housing and Family Income Supplement for the workers on low incomes because these groups can’t manage. Those in mortgage arrears are being put at the mercy of vulture funds. We seem to have lost the ability to build sufficient affordable houses for our people.

If this is managing then the meaning needs to be reassessed as our politicians don’t see the real lreland. Sincerely,

Gerry Cournane ,

Tralee.