Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has just began addressing the Dáil and the country with his Budget for 2019 for Ireland.
Beginning his address, the Minister for Finance made reference to the economic crisis, saying that the economy is now growing strongly.
He went on to say a record number of people in Ireland have jobs and many who emigrated during the recession have returned home.
He also noted record levels of funding is going into key public services and pledged that the most vunerable in our society will be protected.
Putting the finishing touches to #Budget19 speech. Cabinet meeting at 10am for final discussion and speech to the #Dail at 1pm. Balancing our books for the first time in a decade will better position us in the years ahead for a more secure and resilient future pic.twitter.com/ObBkVVUAd8
— Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald) October 9, 2018
“We now have record employment", he said.
HOUSING
The Minsiter said "I awknowledge that where we are today is not where we want to be".
"More new homes will be provided this year than in any year in the last decade."
"Much work to be done to find shelter for homeless people."
HEALTHCARE
1.2 billion extra spending next year
25 euro increase in weekly income threshold for GP visit cards
Prescription charges to drop 50c to €1.50 for medical card holders over 70
MENTAL HEALTH
An extra 84 million euro for mental health services next year.
1 billion total budget for mental health - increase of 9 per cent.
Well that's good news , an additional €84 million to be spent on #mentalhealth in #Budget2019 #MentalHealthMatters
— Peter hynes??? #TeamHynes (@Peterhynes15) October 9, 2018
SOCIAL WELFARE
5 euro a week increase in all social welfare payments from next March
Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients to be restored to 100 per cent
CIGARETTES
Pack of 20 cigarettes to increase in price by 50 cent
Excise duty on a pack of cigarettes up. Price of a pack of cigarettes up to €12.70. #Budget2019
— Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) October 9, 2018
TOBACCO
Minimum excise on tobacco products to rise so that all cigarettes sold below 11 euro will have same excise as more expensive ones
PARENTAL LEAVE
Two extra weeks' parental leave to all parents of a child under one
Mr. Donohoe says that this is intended to be increased to 7 weeks over time.
LONE PARENTS
Increase in qualified child payments
€2.20 per week for under 12s and €5.20 per week for over 12s
Increase of 25 euro in back to school clothing and footware allowances
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
The Department of Education is being allocated €10.8 billion in 2019, an increase of 6.7%.
Almost 1,300 additional posts in schools in 2019
5 per cent increase in standard capitation rate per pupil
SPECIAL NEEDS
Up to 950 special needs assistants to be recruited in 2019 as part of 1.8 billion fund for children with special needs
TRANSPORT
286 million euro towards new infrastructure like:
N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin (Sligo) and the Dunkettle Interchange (Cork)
Completion of runway overlay project at Knock Airport
Design, planning and implementation of cycling and walking projects around the country
RURAL ROADS
Extra 40 million euro for pavement repair and rehabilitation works on regional and local roads
BUSINESS
Department of Business to get 950 million euro next year, an increase of 9 per cent
LOAN GROWTH
New Future Growth Loan Scheme for SMEs, Agriculture and Food sector
Will be worth up to 300 million
CORPORATION TAX
Corporation tax to remain unchanged at 12.5 per cent
TOURISM
Tourism VAT rate to rise to 13.5 per cent from January 2019 - this will raise 466 million euro
CLIMATE CHANGE
“One in every €5 in Exchequer investment in the Plan will be devoted to addressing climate change,” he says
AGRICULTURE
€57 million in current expenditure to go to the farm sector.
"€60 million in current and capital Brexit related supports will be provided to improve resilience in the farm sector."
The Minister says he recognises that this year was a tough year for farmers.
Additional €57 million of current expenditure to @agriculture_ie in 2019. #Budget19
— Irish Farmers' Assoc (@IFAmedia) October 9, 2018
He says an “unprecedented” effort from government will be given to strengthen rural communities.
MINIMUM WAGE
The minimum wage will increase by 25 cent to €9.80 from January 1st
The new Minimum Wage of €9.80 is still €2.10 short of a Living Wage that would permit a basic, even frugal, Minimum Essential Standard of Living. #livingwage#budget19 #budget2019
— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) October 9, 2018
Third rate of USC to be cut from 4.75 to 4.5 per cent
INCOME TAX
Entry level for higher rate of income tax increasing by 750 euro to 35,300
CHILDCARE
90 million extra for childcare supports to change bands for affordable childcare scheme
RELATED: The price of cigarettes in Ireland is going up
Paschal Donohoe's address how now commended. Comment, analysis and reaction on #TheLift with Garry and Fionnuala from 2.50pm on iRadio.
