The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) welcomed a number of measures in Budget 2024 but warned of major pitfalls that will make it harder to address the challenges facing the country.
ICTU said workers would benefit from cuts in childcare costs, the extension of the free school books scheme and a proposed new pay-related benefit.
But Congress said the Government had only partially addressed the cost of living difficulties facing low-paid workers and households on low incomes.
"The tax cuts that primarily benefit the better off will only further fuel inflation and narrow the tax base, and run counter to the widely-acknowledged need for government revenue as a share of national income to increase to enable the country to meet the challenges posed by a growing and ageing population and climate change," said ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy.
SIPTU said Budget 2024 will hollow out the tax base while squeezing public services.
"The Government risks repeating the same mistakes made prior to the crash," said SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham.
"Through tax cuts, it is hollowing out our revenue base just as we are facing the challenges of slowing growth, climate action and technological disruption from automation and AI," Mr Cunningham said.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) welcomed the specific help for acute hospitals provided through the Health Resilience Fund
"We are disappointed that specific figures have not been provided detailing exactly how the Safe Staffing Framework will be implemented into 2024," said INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
"We are very fearful that we will not see safe staffing across all acute hospitals in the year ahead," Ms Ní Sheaghdha said.
