Mr George Murphy did not hold out much hope before yesterday's Budget that his and his wife's income would change to increase their take-home pay. "And it hasn't increased," says Mr Murphy. "Anything extra won't be significant."

Mr Murphy, a Dublin-based civil servant, says "at the moment, with the way house prices have gone, young kids have virtually no chance of getting a house even if they are applying for a loan with their partner" .

He says he is disappointed with the Budget, and "really did expect something would be done to get younger people onto the property ladder".

Mr Murphy receives children's allowance for one of his children, so he will benefit from a €6 per month increase.

"That's €1.50 a week," says Mr Murphy. "You wouldn't get a packet of chewing gum for that.

"I'm disgusted," he says. "It's the same old story. What I saw yesterday was once again Mr McCreevy bowed down to the big boys. "Those who have will gain, and those who don't won't," he says.