Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
JANE* IS UNEMPLOYED and is living with her husband in Dublin. A qualified engineer, she has been unemployed for over a year. Her main worry was government making any change to the couple’s tax credits. She was also concerned about what government was going to do to try to help people like herself to find a job in 2013.
Although I haven’t digested all the main points, it appears that PRSI contributions will increase. The result of this is that my husband will take home less pay during 2013.
We will pay a property tax of about €180-190, which isn’t too bad considering it’s replacing the household charge. I have paid the charge and am not in arrears but do not agree that it is going to bondholders.
I worry that councils will be allowed to adjust this amount in future. I don’t hold out much hope for it being used efficiently. Personally, I am happy that the NPPR will be scrapped after 2014. PRSI on additional income such as rental income will also affect us.
In general I am unhappy that low and middle-income earners will again bear the brunt of a drop in child benefit and the increase in college fees etc.
Child benefit should be taxed and should not be cut for those on low or no income. I am happy that ministers will have reduced allowances and that some savings will be made in non front-line public services.
However, what are the underlying cuts? I hear that carer’s grants have been cut and already home help hours have been slashed – this is disgusting. Not enough has been done to cut expenditure on top civil servant wages and actually adhere to pay caps.
In terms of jobs, I don’t hold out much hope but will be interested in initiatives proposed by Joan Burton. I am re-skilling via a Springboard PostGrad course but this is a career move, so more initiatives to employ skilled unemployed people would be welcome.
Obviously we have considered moving abroad but have given ourselves a few more months before making a decision – will the hidden changes in the budget push us over the edge?
*person wished to remain anonymous
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
So the practice of arranged marriages continues… behind closed doors, unless some poor girl is strong enough to report her parents . Very sad ..
But now she can report them. That is why this law was brought in, to make sure that if it does happen, there is a law to help the victims of it.
Some of these girls are as young as 9 and some have been ‘married’ to 70 year old members of their own family. If the girls are ‘strong enough’ try to do anything about it the result is usually an ‘honour killing’ or an acid attack. Provided that the unfortunates have survived FGM.
The law will not be able to protect her from her family .
Did not the Prophet[p on Him] not marry a child of about 9?
No she was 7 but the marriage was consecrated when she was 9. Pbuh.
@mjhint – I think you meant consummated when she was 9. Just in case anyone is in any doubt over the ‘prophet’ and his actions concerning his child bride.
The subcontinent is culturally an extremely backward place. Gang rape, FGM and arranged (aka forced) marriages are commonplace.
The need for a force specifically to tackle this problem in the UK is what happens when a microcosm of that society is created within a modern Western nation.
This is why very gradual, controlled immigration is the only way forward, to avoid ghettoisation and the proliferation of subcultures.
Ireland should waste no time in following suit.
It’s a start but how do you ban something that’s ‘hidden’ & ‘cultural?’ Barbaric practice!
A great day for so many young girls throughout the world that have to endure archaic practices that serve no benefit. People who force their daughters into these sham marriages should be ashamed of themselves.
The law against arranged marriages is for the UK only .
This is definitely a move in the right direction by the British Government. The Irish Government and other Governments all over the world should pass similar legislation and make sure it is enforced.
You don’t seriously think that will stop the practice, FGM (female genital mutilation is against the law but it still goes on)
I have an interest in forced divorce. Let’s see if the Registrar General acts now.
I find interesting the image you have chosen be used in this article…
I was at a forced marriage last weekend. A girl who thought she should get married to the guy she’s doesn’t live cos she was ‘that’ age and daren’t be single. Forced marriages are sad.
have your say