TODAY'S THE DAY - and after what feels like the most-leaked Budget in history, most of the new measures being announced today have actually already made their way into the public domain in one way or another.
That means that even though the speeches are still a while away, we're able to safely predict most of it:
- The Universal Social Charge will be cut significantly, with plans for its total abolition over five years. The three lowest rates will all be cut, while the bands at which they apply will also be raised. That will mean workers on the average annual salary will save just over €400.
- The old age pension will be increased by €3 a week.
- This Christmas there'll be a 75% bonus payment for recipients of long-term welfare payments. That's worth around €173 to pensioners and €141 to people on the Dole.
- The 'old reliables' of petrol and alcohol will be left untouched, but 50c will be added to the price of 20 cigarettes.
- Child benefit will increase by €5 a week
- New fathers will be entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave
- The minimum wage will increase by 50c an hour, to €9.15
- The respite care grant, cut controversially a few years ago, will be restored.
- There will be greater access to subsidised childcare, and all children from the age of three will have access to free childcare or preschooling of some sort
- 600 new Gardaí will be hired
- 2,000 teachers will be recruited to lower the pupil-teacher ratio from 28:1 to 27:1
- There will be new tax credits for farmers and the self-employed, worth around €500 next year. Over a few years those credits will be increased so that they fall into line with the credits given to employees.
- The tax credit for carers based at home will increase from €800 to €1,000.
- Children will now be able on inherit property worth €280,000 (previously €225,000) before it becomes eligible for inheritance tax.
- The Capital Gains Tax will be cut for the self-employed and entrepreneurs - it will fall from 33% to 20%.
- €50 million in extra spending on social housing
- Grants for builders who agree to sell homes below €300,000
