The government is looking to spend its way out of the recession, confirming there’s set to be a 17 billion euro budget deficit next year.
The largest budget in the history of the state will be funded by borrowing heavily.
4 billion euro added to the Department of Health budget to deal with COVID and increase hospital bed and ICU capacity.
A 3.4 billion euro COVID and Brexit recovery fund.
Targeted money for businesses that have had to close and the live entertainment industry.
Almost a thousand additional SNAs have been promised along with a commitment to reduce student teacher rations to 25:1 at primary level.
620 new gardaí promised and a new fleet of cars for them.
500m from Housing for 9,500 further social homes, and an extension of the help to buy scheme.
Taxation measures are the other side.
A 7.50 rise in the carbon tax that will hit fuel prices from midnight and a promise to do the same every year this decade.
50c added to the cost of a pack of cigarettes, but alcohol has been left alone as the VAT rate for hospitality has been cut back to 9 per cent.
Lots of measures among an almost 18 billion euro spending package in what’s the largest budget in the history of the state.
