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Budget 2019 was an opportunity to fix, or begin to fix, many of the unjust policy moves implemented during the financial crisis. Several policy changes were enacted during that time which were arbitrary in nature: unfair, unjustifiable, and purely for the purpose of saving money. Reducing Jobseeker's rates for young people was one of these.

17th of October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  In this era of increasing global wealth and economic growth it is important to highlight the large numbers of people living in poverty both here in Ireland and globally.  It is also a day to point to the policy options available that can improve the living conditions for all.  We can and should implement these policies without delay.

Budget 2019's ODA allocation of €817m (0.39 per cent of GNI*) is a significant increase on last year's amount (which was 0.36 per cent of GNI*), and the government is to be congratulated on this move. It is now time for a strategy that will bring us to the UN-agreed target of 0.7 per cent of national income by 2025.

Budget 2019 failed to grasp the nettle of real reform in areas such as housing, healthcare, education and so on.  In this short presentation, we bring you through the Highs and Lows of Budget 2019 and how it affects you, your PPN and your community.