This budget fails hardworking families and their children. So many people are left behind because of this budget, those who will be worse off. The families and people who are most vulnerable have been forgotten about once again.

Government should rethink the message we are sending to people who have come to Ireland and made an extraordinary contribution to Irish life. What they are hearing from Government is that they are not welcome here, and that is wrong. It is particularly wrong, given our history of migration.

Earlier today Social Democrats Deputy Leader, Cian O’Callaghan wrote to Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Bryant to express our huge concern at the situation on the Garvaghy Road.

On the one hand, Minister Patrick O’Donovan says the national broadcaster is being punished because of the slow pace of reform within the organisation. However, in the next breath, he blames budgetary constraints within his own department for the shortfall.

The escalation of industrial action by public sector workers is a mess of the Government’s own making. In solidarity with workers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the Soc Dems will not be crossing the picket line if the Dáil sits on the day of national strike action next Wednesday.

During the general election, Fianna Fáil promised a €12 increase in the pension every year. But this year, it was only €10. And the govt expect pensioners to be grateful after they floated a paltry €7.50 in a cruel kite-flying exercise before budget day. This is a deeply cynical game.

Kinship carers save the state millions each year, caring for children in their families when their parents can't. Yet they receive no state support, and are left with long delays before they're allowed access Children's or Guardianship Allowance. The state must step up and support these families.

The Gov and Media Minister need to get their story straight on why €20 million in funding for RTÉ next year is being summarily cut. What we have is Schrodinger’s Cuts, with the Minister contradicting his own rationale for blowing up RTÉ’s budget and Gov failing to shed light on the issue.

Our alternative budget stacks up. Fully costed measures. But Goverment ignored it and went ahead with their own pitiful budget.

Once again, the greyhound industry received more funding than domestic violence services. There is no clearer indication of this governments priorities. There is plenty of luxurious spending in this budget, but it is not going to the people who are hardest hit and most pressed to the bone.

Did you know dyslexia affects one in every ten people? This makes it the most common additional need in our classrooms. We were delighted to have Dyslexia Ireland in this Dyslexia Awareness Week, to discuss their research, and what we can do to improve services for people with dyslexia.

This budget is a huge letdown. Artists are abandoned and with that, the richness of all our lives suffers. Furthermore families,workers, young people, pensioners are all let down by this shambolic budget.

Fianna Fáil's election manifesto in 2024 promised a €12 rise in the state pension year on year. This budget delivered only €10. When we asked the Taoiseach about this today, he spent his entire speaking time avoiding the question entirely. This is an insult to pensioners all over Ireland.

This budget can be defined as one of missed opportunity. It's lacking in vision. It's lacking in ambition. It's ludicrous how the Government keep doing the same thing over and over again and still expect a different outcome. Very little really changes with this budget.

Putting together Budget 2027 (and governing in general, it seems) is just a game to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Instead of looking at the impacts their decisions make, govt ministers are too busy fighting over announcements and briefings. And who wins in this game? Certainly not ordinary people.

This budget shows that this Government has abandoned those struggling most from the cost-of-living crisis. It's a budget completely devoid of ambition and new ideas. Regrettably, Government has ignored our proposals and this budget that fails to provide short-term relief where it is most needed.

Budget 2027 is completely devoid of ambition and new ideas. The message that this budget sends out to households couldn’t be any clearer. It says: ‘fend for yourselves, you are on your own’. @cianocallaghantd.bsky.social

Tá easpa soláthair thithíochta ag lagú struchtúr na bpobal Gaeltachta agus ag cur thodhchaí na gceantar Gaeltachta i mbaol. A constitutional right to housing would allow these communities to begin rebuilding. But again, govt are shutting their eyes to the reality of the carnage they've caused.