Caritas recognises budget as socially sensitive, but questions if enough was done in certain sectors

Caritas, while recognising that the budget is socially sensitive and addresses the needs of the working poor, says that the question as to whether the benefits generated are being adequately divided, and if the rises are enough to deal with the cost of living, remain.

Caritas mentioned some of the socially sensitive measures, such as the childrens' allowance, and an increase in benefits for persons with disability and those with mental health problems. It positively noted attempts to address the grave situation of some individuals who depend on private rent and do not have adequate housing.

Caritas positively mentioned the raise in rent subsidies, investment in social housing, and other measures that help people struggling to have a roof over their heads.

They said that another measure that affects people include the push to eradicate Hepatitis C, as well as investment in the hail in order to improve infrastructure to improve rehabilitation, investment in youth work and the continuation of in-work benefits.

Caritas however, expressed its thoughts on a number of issues.

In terms of the education sector, Caritas expected a greater push for children to remain in school, which could have been in the form of additional family benefits dependant on whether a child attends school 90% to 95% of the time.

Caritas also questioned whether the rise in pensions and in the minimum wage were adequate

While welcoming the work regarding drug prevention, Caritas noted that primary prevention in schools strengthens the conviction against drug use by children at low risk of experimentation and drug use. Caritas noted that many of these programmes failed to reach those who are at medium or high risk enough.

Regarding the proposed cannabis reform, Caritas proposes a national reform that addresses a wider array of substances and not just cannabis, while hoping that legal access to cannabis remains solely for medicinal purposes and that the decriminalisation law improves.

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