Your Budget - Unemployed

William Meredith (55) has been unemployed for nine years

William Meredith (55) has been unemployed for nine years. He lives in Ballymun with his wife, Frances, who is also unemployed, and his son. The family live on benefits of almost £150 (€190) a week of which they pay £39 in rent.

Mr Meredith had hoped for a big rise in social welfare payments and child benefit. Aside from his son living at home, he has another four children who are working and hoped lower taxes would be introduced to help them keep more of their wages.

He thought Mr McCreevy's Budget was "downright disgraceful" and will do little to help his family escape poverty.

"I think it works out at only a 3 per cent increase in social welfare for us which is not nearly enough. I think I'll end up with something under £160 for my family and I'm sure that Dublin Corporation will absorb much of that increase through rises in my rent."

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The increase in child benefit did not inspire him either.

"I have one kid who is 16 years old and the extra £8 child benefit will go some way to helping out but it's not enough. Maybe if we got that every week we'd be smiling," he said.

Mr Meredith's wife unsuccessfully sought a carer's allowance because she looks after her husband who suffers from heart problems.

"At the moment I'm not able to qualify for this which is a shame because it increased quite a lot," said Mr Meredith. "I'll have to appeal that because I can't work in my condition."

He is more pleased, however, with proposals for the establishment of new training facilities. "My son was training to be a chef but he hurt himself and may not be able to do that now, so I hope this new training centre will help young people to get into jobs." On general tax issues Mr Meredith was pleased as he thought the provisions may assist younger people.