Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Luis Villa del Campo via Flickr.com

Join TheJournal.ie's #Budget 2012 virtual panel

We want to hear from a wide range of people across the country on how the Budget impacts them.

THE COUNTRY IS braced for the impact of two days of Budget announcements early next week. TheJournal.ie will be giving extensive coverage to Budget 2012, bringing you all the information you need to know – and how to process it.

We are also interested in how the Budget will affect your pocket – and your life. If you would like to be part of our online panel of readers to express how Budget Day(s) impacts on you, read on…

We would like to hear from people in the following groups:

  • Married, working, with children
  • Single and working
  • Single parent
  • Unemployed person
  • Pensioner
  • Living alone, on a disability allowance
  • A full-time carer
  • Owner of a small/medium business
  • Student
  • Cohabiting couple

Email your name, contact number and county in which you live to christine@thejournal.ie if you are happy to be named and have your photograph used.

We look forward to hearing from you (even if we’re not particularly looking forward to the Budget…)

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 43 comments
Close
43 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Cash
    Favourite John Cash
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 7:38 PM

    On the labour, doing a few off jobs on the sly, negative equity up to my halo and about 5 months in arrears, sign me up.

    How much we gettin paid for this?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Baxter
    Favourite The Baxter
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 10:51 PM

    ask not what the journal can do for you. but what you can do for the journal can

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:29 AM

    Totally voluntary, but if you’re interested then throw me a line with your name, number and county – it’s christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks :)

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Inda Kinny
    Favourite Inda Kinny
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 8:37 PM

    You should have politician on that list. I’m serious.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre Forde
    Favourite Deirdre Forde
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 10:24 AM

    He’s right.

    Wouldn’t really be in their best interest though.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas M Bourke
    Favourite Thomas M Bourke
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 3:21 PM

    You mean the change in the term cleaning allowance to ‘per diem’ and an increase to 15K a year as a sneaky back door pay rise?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ryan Murphy
    Favourite Ryan Murphy
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 8:06 PM

    Married, working (sole earner) with childers.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:34 AM

    Hey, throw me an ol’ email if you’re interested in being on the panel – it’s christine@thejournal.ie

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bryan
    Favourite Bryan
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 7:49 PM

    Student? Seems like the budget could have a major impact on them.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 7:56 PM

    Quite right Bryan – added in there!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Flynn
    Favourite Mick Flynn
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 8:17 PM

    Widowed, 2 Teenage children,Carer

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:36 AM

    Hey Mick, could you email me with your details (contact number and county) if you’re interested in being on the panel? It’s christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Breen
    Favourite Liam Breen
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 7:55 PM

    Or any youth orientated category… They are the future it’s worth hearing their views

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Brennan
    Favourite Joe Brennan
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 8:54 PM

    Joe from tipp, working at the minute but just about, cash in very tight in our business and this vat increase is going to hammer small business again

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:38 AM

    Hi Joe, that’s interesting – if you’d be on for being on our panel, could you drop me an email with your details – it’s christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks a mil!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steph Duffy
    Favourite Steph Duffy
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 9:53 PM

    Is there a reason the couple with a child have to be married?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Clancy
    Favourite Eamonn Clancy
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 10:22 PM

    Yeah, if you’re not married you’re better off, system favours co habitation I guess.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:45 AM

    No real reason Steph. We’re looking to get a broad cross-section of people so if we get someone to volunteer who’s co-habiting and has a kid then that’s great – the more the merrier!

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:49 AM

    (I’ve added cohabiting couple to the list now, just fyi)

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Glyn Carragher
    Favourite Glyn Carragher
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 1:49 AM

    Yes, unemployed and finding it difficult to understand how we could put 65 billion into a set of private banks and get nothing for it when for the same money 65 billion we could have got 361,111 jobs for five years @ €36,000 ? Now we are going to have a budget to pay off this money but cutting child benefit by €2.50 a week (the price of a loaf of bread and a litre of milk) introducing a household charge, increasing VAT to put more people out of work etc etc. When we did “find” 3.6 billion (only a 100,000 jobs) we gave it back??? Sign me up I really really want to know what this is all about.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:46 AM

    Cheers Glyn – could you throw me an email with your contact details? It’s christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks a mil.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Hegarty
    Favourite Michael Hegarty
    Report
    Nov 28th 2011, 10:38 PM

    Single, working, travel to work by car, negative equity, still receiving Mortgage Interest Relief (which is very important for me), head just.above water….. Im in!!!!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:42 AM

    Good stuff – will you throw me an email with your contact details? I’m at christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks a mil!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bruce
    Favourite Bruce
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 8:23 AM

    Hi, I think you will find that there are a lot of people who would contribute but won’t because of personal circumstances both bad and good. The requirement to have photo and name published will turn some valuable contributors off. If you could organise another way to validate people it would be good and I would be happy to take part. Lastly could you organise an “ideas forum” where we could submit budget ideas?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 10:06 AM

    I take your point but we’re not going to be looking for lots of personal details from people – people won’t be asked about their income, for example. It’s going to be broader – how people think a cut in child benefit would affect them, or what the increase in VAT will mean for them, or what they think about the property tax.

    The photo and the name is just so readers can see how the Budget is going to affect real people in the country.

    Also, on the ‘ideas forum’ – working on it!

    If you’re still interested in taking part, drop me a mail – it’s christine@thejournal.ie.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephie Fitz
    Favourite Stephie Fitz
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 1:51 AM

    Single,working nightshift in coppers, living with the folks. Not very rock’n'roll..

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:47 AM

    I’d say you see some fairly rock ‘n’ roll stuff in Coppers…! If you want to be on the panel will you give me a shout with your contact details? It’s christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Patrick
    Favourite David Patrick
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 8:45 AM

    What about co-habitatee’s!? It affects us as well, we rent yet it’s all about those who have a mortgage!
    Rent is not always easy to find!
    But count me in!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Bohan
    Favourite Christine Bohan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 9:50 AM

    I’ve added co-habitees to the list now – don’t know how we forgot to add them in the first place! Will you throw me an email if you’re interested? I’m christine@thejournal.ie. Thanks a mil!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bridget Doyle
    Favourite Bridget Doyle
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 3:50 PM

    working in low paid public service job fed up of the government targetting the likes of us we are the easy option cut their own wages in half they could live very comfortbly on it shame on them even thinking about cutting socialwelfare childrens allowence charging 50 euros to apply for medical card they are beyond discusting smug self opionated and i dont care what happens as long as im alright thats what s looking after this country a bunch of yes men to europe

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O' Cheafarcaigh
    Favourite Seán O' Cheafarcaigh
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 2:03 PM

    Mature student relying on BTEA with a student loan. Any cut to that and I’m screwed

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Mc Hugh
    Favourite Michael Mc Hugh
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 2:01 PM

    As an emigrant of 50 years and a 3to 4 times a year visitor it seems my money does not go as far as it used to ..Nearly a fiver a pint …It is a joke .If their is a god i hope he helps the poor folk …

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrice Bedford
    Favourite Patrice Bedford
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 1:52 PM

    Im married, no kids, on part time hours with minimum wage, hubby works full time minimum wage and we rent, dunno if its what your looking for? x

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Murphy Duncan
    Favourite Caroline Murphy Duncan
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 2:01 PM

    lone parent, with 2 chronic disabilities… work part time, rent which i cant afford, and not deemed appliciable for disability .. grrr…think the budget will get me big time

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa NíMhathúna
    Favourite Lisa NíMhathúna
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 2:40 PM

    I have 5 kids, I work voluntary, My husband works, we have 10euro left each week when we pay the bills ect

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O' Cheafarcaigh
    Favourite Seán O' Cheafarcaigh
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 2:05 PM

    Mature student, relying on BTEA with a student loan. Any negative changes to BTEA and I have to drop out of college

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deirdre Flannery
    Favourite Deirdre Flannery
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 12:40 PM

    single parent, no help from special needs son’s father, exhausted, tried to work part time twice this past 3 years (have a degree) but due to SNA cuts have son at home most of schoolday, i cannot afford the specialised childcare and had 6minders who are not able to mind himfor more than 12-15 hrs despite any money i offered, sick myself and on several meds now and unable to pay rent, childcare etc. to work so stuck at home. have already cut down, sold car, used all my savings up ny last year (7th year) but being on rent allowance and OPFA am worried SICK over these cuts coming. dunno how we will cope, truly. cannot go on public record or use photo as stress has the whole extended family in upheaval thinking about it. they need to make childcare affordable.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Janet Hickey
    Favourite Janet Hickey
    Report
    Nov 30th 2011, 7:32 PM

    I find incredible that the government has done NOTHING to alleviate the growing pressure on SME’s by tackling the upward only rent reviews. Rents are now exorbitantly high in comparison to the current consumer trends. I can only imagine that an increase of 2% in VAT will only serve to lower consumer confidence, lower the turnover of the retail sector and result in further redundancies. Joan Burton spoke recently of lowering the redundancy rebate to employers from 60% to 30%, a further burden on employers should they have no further option but to make a member of staff redundant. The Croke Park agreement is particularly hard to swallow also. I don’t wish to be unfair to any public sector workers but the private sector continues to haemorrhage jobs, it’s workers continually face wage cuts and SME’s are failing at an alarming rate. If my business goes bust there are no benefits for me and my pension would suffer. Oh how it galls me to see the likes of Mary Harney on a cushy pension.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerryspirit Chris
    Favourite Kerryspirit Chris
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 8:53 PM

    single parent, ce scheme ended no jobs in sight and the ones dont employ a single parent with a small child, not reliable and cant be – favourite expression – flexible. well i dont want even to think about the budget – get it on and hope for the best…..count me in!! loads loads to say…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Mc Carthy
    Favourite Tom Mc Carthy
    Report
    Nov 29th 2011, 11:55 PM

    Dropped you an email there – will be interesting to see what arises from such an array of opinions!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds