Lorraine Courtney: Budget priorities reveal what we value as a society – and clearly families are bottom of the pile

While the hospitality sector undoubtedly has difficulties, throwing a €700m tax break its way while vulnerable children don’t have a bed is unforgivable

The proportion of children living in poverty is currently almost the same as in the year of the financial crash, 2008. Stock image: Getty

Some people have lobbyists. Some people don’t. The hospitality sector has them and, as a result, it’s about to get €700m in Vat cuts from this year’s budget. Families living in poverty have nothing of the sort. Just the quiet, daily grind of trying to stretch €20 until Friday and praying the kids don’t outgrow their shoes this month.

None of this is to begrudge cafes and restaurants th

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