'We can't do everything for everyone': Taoiseach seeks to manage expectations around budget

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has moved to dampen expectations around this year’s budget, telling reporters in New York the government “can’t do everything for everyone”.

Martin was speaking on day two of his trip to the US city for the annual United Nations General Assembly.

Asked about the budget, which will be delivered by government 6 October, the Taoiseach was tight-lipped about what he chose to reveal.

On whether people in the round will be left better off after this year’s budget, he said he was hoping “that people will keep pace with inflation and maybe go above that”.

“But also, you know, we can’t do everything for everybody in the budget, so we have to target our resources,” he said, adding that childcare and disability will be two areas where there should be significant support for people.

“So it’s going to depend very much on people’s individual circumstances,” he said.