Tag Archives: Budget 2021

Above from left: the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath; The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, Heather Humphreys outline changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme this afternoon

This afternoon.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

The budget deficit this year will now be €23 billion, up approximately €1.25 billion on the figure outlined in Budget 2021, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe announced at a press conference.

Via RTÉ

The increase reflects the anticipated €2 billion spend over the next six weeks on several income and business support schemes as Level 5 restrictions come into play.

This will mean that GDP is expected to decline this year by 3.5%, a further 1% decline on the forecast released at Budget time.

Mr Donohoe said that the enhanced Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is expected to cost €105m a week, the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) €80m a week and the PUP €135m a week.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said the enhanced PUP will be given at its current rate until January when it will then be reviewed….

Level 5 Covid restrictions to push Budget deficit up to €23 billion (RTÉ)

Julian Behal Photography/RollingNews

Social assistance rates in 2021

This morning/afternoon,

Independent think-tank Social Justice Ireland published its critique of  Budget 2021.

In short:

 Welcome:

Adoption of a counter-cyclical fiscal stance.
Financing for the Community Health Networks
Acknowledgement by Government that tax and welfare are a single system..
Providing the finance to implement the McMahon Report and end Direct Provision.

 Regret:

Failure to increase core social welfare rates.
Failure to make tax credits refundable to address the working poor issue.
No progress towards just taxation

Dr Seán Healy, Director, Social Justice Ireland, writes::

“Budget 2021 has left Ireland’s poorest people behind as Government decided not to increase core social welfare rates.

Despite allocating more resources than any previous Budget in the history of the State, the distribution of those resources was such that the gap between the poor and the better off will widen in 2021 and inequality will increase. This is a totally unacceptable outcome.

“In calculating how people’s incomes will change in 2021 it is important to realise that people with jobs are likely to see increases in their take-home pay in the coming year.  Public servants will see an increase of 2% while the pay of other sectors is also expected to increase.  In contrast to that, people on core social welfare payments depend on the Budget alone to increase their incomes

Budget 2021 Analysis and Critique (Social Justice Ireland)

This afternoon.

Department of Health, Dublin 2.

Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly today briefing media on the provisions of Budget 2021 pertaining to his department.

Responding to the Irish Mirror’s question about whether border counties could move to level four after this evening’s Cabinet meeting – Stephen Donnelly said the following;

“I don’t want to preempt anything regarding levels.”

“I am in favour of keeping schools open.”

“Information I’m being given are schools are safe.”

“Moves to any level are hugely costly.”

LIVE Covid-19 Ireland today as Minister Stephen Donnelly updates on latest situation (Irish Mirror)

Earlier: Dead Loss

RollingNews

This morning.

Usher’s Quay, Dublin 8.

New petrol prices after The Minister for Finance announced carbon tax will be increased by €7.50 per tonne of carbon dioxide in Budget 2021. Paschal Donohoe said that the charge rise at Midnight from €26 to €33.50 will be applied to auto fuels and all other fuels from May 1, 2021.

RollingNews

Fine Gael Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe (right) and Fianna Fáil Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath

 

This afternoon.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

Budget 2021 is HERE!

What can beat the excitement of budget day?

Except pretty much anything.

More as we get it.

RollingNews