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22 Oct 2025

Editorial: Holding our breath as Budget Day looms again - Kilkenny Live

KILKENNY

It is likely to prove the most politically-tricky budget of this Government’s term, given looming elections, the current cost of living, and crises in health and housing

All eyes are now on the Government as it enters the final week of preparations for Budget 2024, with the big day next Tuesday.

As noted in our guest op-ed this week, it is likely to prove the most politically-tricky budget of this Government’s term, given looming elections, the current cost of living, and crises in health and housing. The massive overspend on this year’s health budget already has warning bells going off, while despite some progress, housing demand is unabated and the cost of homes continues to surge close to Celtic Tiger levels.

A massive of swathe of the population, most of them 18-50, do not own homes and reasonably do not expect they ever will. Reactionary measures and shoring up of emergency supports are well and good, but they should be the final piece of the puzzle and not the first resort.

Meanwhile, the health sector lurches from overspend to scandal week after week, and the taxpayer stuck on a waiting list for months and years has every reason to be aghast at what is happening.

A populist, giveaway budget that promises short-term tax cuts and one-off social welfare windfalls might paper over some cracks, but unless the two big problems — a housing crisis and a dysfunctional health system — are addressed in a meaningful way, another opportunity will have been allowed to slip by.

St Patrick’s site
Word that a large site to the south of Kilkenny City is to become a new temporary accommodation for our growing Ukrainian community has met mixed reaction thus far.

It’s not long ago that the whisperings from some quarters were the site would be a campus for a new educational facility. This is an altogether different proposal now. The council’s hope is that it will become a long-term asset.

We have an obligation to house those seeking protection as best as we can. The views of the existing local community should also be taken into account; consultation at every step of the way will be key.

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