One of Northern Ireland's largest public service unions has criticised Minister for Finance Peter Robinson's budget claiming it will not tackle poverty and inequality.
Patricia McKeown of Unison questioned Mr Robinson's allocation towards health spending would merely "scratch the surface" of need. The finance minister has allocated a further £450 million over the next three financial years. Health spending accounts for nearly half of all government spending in the North.
But Ms McKeown said more was needed if inequality was to be tackled. "Many of the underlying causes of inequality in our society need to be highlighted and resources allocated," she said. Mr Robinson needed to heed those who worked in the health service as well as those who used it before deciding on its allocation.
Her comments echo remarks by the Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey. The UUP Minister agreed to the Robinson budget earlier this week, but criticised the health spending totals.
He was in turn criticised by DUP Assembly member Jimmy Spratt who accused him of trying to face in two directions at once.
"Despite the fact that the budget for the Department of Health is now bigger than it has ever been in the history of Northern Ireland, Mr McGimp- sey claims he doesn't have enough resources," he said. "Regardless of the fact that he agreed to the draft budget along with his party leader, Reg Empey and the rest of the entire Executive at Stormont he now claims to have severe reservations - what happened to him?"
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has also criticised her allocation from Mr Robinson. Although she too agreed to the draft budget proposals last Tuesday, she says she will use the consultation period until January 4th to press for further funds to help her provide social housing.
"My department received one of the smallest increases in the draft budget and I will now have to work very hard along with my officials, to manage within the resources which will be available to us," she said.
She said it was difficult for her to sign up to a document which did not match plan to increase the number of social houses. "I have made social and affordable housing my top priority and I welcome the commitment from the Executive and all political parties to this . . . the draft investment strategy does not allocate sufficient funds to match it."