The government has been accused of placing a "burden of pain" on families with children.

Labour finance spokesperson Joan Burton said last week's Budget will have the biggest impact on people with children and those who receive social welfare payments, the Irish Times reports.

"It's the cleaner working in the public services who has two children who'll be paying the bulk of the burden-sharing and carrying the bulk of it," she commented.

Ms Burton noted that the government has devoted enormous resources to protecting the property economy, but very little has been directed towards the knowledge economy.

The "saddest part" of the Budget was the admission that unemployment is likely to rise by another 75,000 people next year, she added.

Speaking to the Irish Independent recently, Michael McNicholas, executive director of ESB International, suggested that it is vital for the future of the economy to encourage a greater uptake of science subjects.

Written by Fiona Mayers

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