RIP Katarzyna Stachowiak
Search
11 Oct 2025
Search
11 Oct 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohue displaying Budget 2026
Kilkenny based Senator Patricia Stephenson has criticised Government decision-making on Budget 2026, focusing on lack of supports for disabled people and families while also highlighting the hospitality VAT cut which will increase profits for large fast-food corporations.
The Social Democrats senator labelled the announcements as ‘a Budget for developers and fast-food chains at the expense of families, carers and the disabled’.
“This Budget is a step backwards for disabled people. We are hearing from disability rights organisations that disabled people may see their income cut by up to €1,400,” she said.
“For disabled people, this Budget is another blow. Supports have been quietly stripped back, and there’s still no increase in wage subsidies for disabled workers.”
“For families that are already stretched to the limit, it’s a Budget of broken promises including the cap on childcare which remains a huge burden for many. In particular, for women who are having to remain at home and not work because of lack of childcare provision or exorbitant costs,” she added.
SEE ALSO: Kilkenny presenter to take over as Liveline host
A central point of frustration in the new Budget was the cutting of VAT for restaurants and apartment developers with Labour TD Ged Nash referring to it as “a Budget for burger barons and big builders”.
Senator Stephenson concluded by contrasting this tax cut to the growing numbers being affected by the housing and cost of living crises.
“Right now, we have 200,000 children living in poverty and more than 5,000 are homeless. But instead of tackling that crisis, the government has chosen to prioritise corporate developers and multinational food-chains. It’s hard to imagine clearer evidence of where their priorities lie,” she asserted.
“This Budget could have targeted support at our vitally important local cafés, which are critical in rural communities and not the blanket measures included which will put money in the hands of multinational fast-food chains”.
“The Social Democrats believe a fair Budget should make life better for those who need help most, not help developers get richer. This Government had a chance to show vision and compassion. Instead, it has chosen the status quo.”
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
