Budget cuts could lead to increased isolation

ORLA Ní Eilí of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre in Ennis has warned that some people in the county may experience further isolation if next Wednesday’s Budget adversely impacts upon the income of low earners or the unemployed.

 

“The worrying part is that people will become even more isolated, no matter what their background is; Irish or new Irish,” Ms Ní Eilí said.

“People could become very isolated in their homes. They might have no work, even though they are looking for work or seeking courses. They may be staying in just because they don’t have the resources to be walking around town and spending a couple of bob here or there. It’s a very worrying time for a lot of people,” she added.

Ms Ní Eilí fears that a lack of money could lead to people, whether they are Irish or New Irish, withdrawing from mainstream society.

“Because people are afraid they could become more isolated. It’s very important that all of us are trying to keep engaged and encourage people to go on further. There are English classes available for people to try to keep themselves busy and out meeting with others, trying to weather the storm. We’ve had lots of interaction with agencies on the ground, who are working with people who are really in big trouble,” she said.

“We’re seeing that people on low incomes are very much struggling with the cuts and proposed cuts that are coming down the line. There’s people who have lost their jobs in the last while and the proposed cuts to Job Seekers’ Benefit is very, very worrying. With the cold – and this being the most expensive time of year as well – there are people coming into us just not knowing how they are going to keep a family fed properly throughout the next few months. Their biggest fears are cuts to social welfare, whether that be to rent allowance or on payment,” the Clare Immigrant Support Centre stated.

Meanwhile, Mary O’Donoghue, co-ordinator of the West Clare Family Resource Centre in Kilrush, has expressed fears that budget cuts to people on low incomes or on social welfare could adversely affect hundreds of people in Clare.

“We need to protect people on social welfare and people on low incomes. That should be a priority in this Budget. The last budget treated people on a low income very badly and it cannot happen again,” Ms O’Donoghue said.

“People with lower incomes do not have spare money anymore.

“Every penny they have is going towards surviving. If we are to try and make changes within their economy, people need to have some money to spend locally,” she suggested.