A bit of a non-event: it hasn’t done a lot for me or for my staff

RECRUITMENT AGENCY OWNER

CORA Barnes, 37, is the coowner of a recruitment agency that specialises in the hiring of health and hospitality professionals. ‘Retaining the 9 per cent VAT rate for the hospitality sector is of course good news for the company and the staff we recruit. But I thought there would be more for workers on the lower rate of USC.’ She said that housing was a big problem for some of her employees, who can’t afford to rent, let alone buy, a house. She said she had hoped there would be a tax rebate for tenants and tax relief on Leap cards for those who are forced to live on the outskirts of Dublin. ‘As for myself, overall I don’t think there have been any major benefits gained. I’ve co-owned and operated a business for 16 years and have paid into a system that I get nothing out of. I don’t think that’s changed after today. I’m single now but I might have a family one day and if so, I’ll have no access to any of the benefits that PAYE workers get. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see the measures that have been introduced for working parents. ‘I’ve been having a look online to see what it [the Budget] might all possibly mean for me and the company. But all I’m seeing is complexity and criteria, no clarity. Considering what was being lorded about in the media over the last few weeks, I think it’s been a bit of a non-event. It hasn’t done any harm, but it’s not done much good either. They could have done more.’