It was anticipated that yesterday's budget would benefit low-paid workers with a 30c rise in the minimum wage, but the fact that no changes were made to the PRSI thresholds for low-income earners means this is now unlikely, says ICTU's Laura Bambrick. Dr Bambrick also spoke about the lack of investment in housing on RTÉ's Late Debate yesterday evening, saying there is nothing in Budget 2020 for the generation who are paying high rents and are dealing with the mortgage rules.

In his budget speech, Minister Donohue also said Civil Servants in Dublin could be dispersed further around the country in the future. Fórsa said it expects to be briefed by the Government on its plan and will examine the review into the future workforce and office requirements of the civil service. 

There are fears for the future of up to 250 jobs at Aer Lingus after catering staff were told today that the airline plans to enter into a new partnership with a "dedicated catering provider" from next summer. SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser Neil McGowan described the situation as a very worrying development.

SIPTU are currently holding their biennial conference in Cork and have called for an end to the growing issue of precarious employment as research has found that almost half of all workers in the Waterford area are in insecure work — a situation likely replicated across the entire country.

Today marks 33 years since Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera premiered in London starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Today's Zen is their 1988 performance at the Tony awards.