THE OLD RELIABLES are regularly targeted in the Budget, but there have been some random tax increases introduced over the years.
Here’s a round-up of the objects that best represent the hikes and cuts Irish governments have brought in…
1. Children’s Shoes
The now infamous tax on children’s shoes actually contributed to the collapse of a government.
When the Fine Gael/Labour coalition failed to pass the 1982 Budget in the Dáil a general election was called and Fianna Fáil was back in power in February.
Their time in office was brief however, as a second election in November of the same year saw the Fine Gael/Labour coalition reforming.
In 1980 a 300% increase in duty on soft drinks was introduced.
It was a tough decade for kids.
Alcohol is always a predictable target come Budget day.
In Budget 2013, €1 was added to the duty on a 75cl bottle of plonk. Predictably, there was a mad dash to the wine isle.
The excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco rarely fails to be increased, jumping 10 cents on a packet of 20 cigarettes last year.
There have been numerous Budget changes related to medical cards over the years.
The Emergency Budget in 2008 planned to abolish automatic medical cards for the over-70s and introduce a means-tested system. Pensioners took to the streets in their thousands to protest.
The Government later increased the income thresholds pensioners could reach and did not take the card from any of the existing cardholders.
There was further controversy over discretionary medical cards earlier this year.
In 2013 the €114 yearly telephone allowance received by pensioners and carers was scrapped in a bid to save €44 million.
Concerned groups warned that cutting the allowance would leave people vulnerable as many used a phoneline connection for their house alarm.
The ultimate object, if you will.
Back in the halcyon days of 2001 the Government was practically throwing money at people.
Special Saving Incentive Accounts (SSIAs) were introduced – where people were basically given free money.
As part of a five-year saving scheme, the Government gave people €25 for every €100 they deposited.
Those were the days, eh?
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