Yesterday, Budget 2025 included announcements such as increased tax credits, the extension of the free schoolbook scheme to Leaving Cert level, double payments for some social welfare recipients in October, and a €12 increase for those receiving weekly social protection payments. There’s also been criticism of the failure to reduce VAT for the hospitality sector and whether enough has been done to address homelessness and the housing crisis. Jerry spoke to Fianna Fáil Education Minister Norma Foley, Sinn Féin justice spokesperson and Kerry TD Pa Daly, Christy Walsh who’s chair of the Kerry branch of the Vintners’ Federation, to MTU Kerry Students’ Union president Stephen ‘Fog’ Fogarty’, Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, and to dairy farmer Owen O’Sullivan from Currow who’s Kerry IFA dairy officer.

The HSE has confirmed it will develop a minor injuries unit in Killarney. It’s also emerged that the Department of Housing has approved 249 social housing units at Cronin’s Wood. Independent councillor Jackie Healy-Rae and Cllr Marie Moloney of Labour spoke to Jerry.

A resident of a Peter McVerry social housing complex in Tralee says conditions are unbearable for her and her family because of anti-social behaviour. Paige Hallissey, her partner and six-year-old son live in an apartment in Park Lane which is part of a complex operated by the housing charity.