‘Shocking’: Twitter reacts to Budget 2016 announcement

Cigarette prices, pension and child benefit see boost, with changes made to scope of USC

Budget 2016 has been revealed and with it came a steady stream of reaction on Twitter.

The increase in the hourly minimum wage - up to €9.15 from €8.65 - was widely welcomed, though many criticised that cuts to the jobseeker’s allowance for under-25s were not reversed.

“We are very disappointed with the budget for the 40,000 young jobseekers-no movement at all to reverse savage cuts,” tweeted the National Youth Council of Ireland.

The retention of the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector (9 per cent), was welcomed too, with Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland saying any other decision would have been absurd.

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The boost in child benefit was well received, as was the increase in the old age pension.

Other tweets focused on the significance of the measures ahead of the election. On that, Dustin the Turkey gave his two pennies’ worth: “Jaysus! you’d swear there’s an Election coming up soon.”

Dean Ruxton

Dean Ruxton

Dean Ruxton is an Audience Editor at The Irish Times. He also writes the Lost Leads archive series