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A COST-OF-LIVING PACKAGE will be contained in October’s bumper budget, Taoiseach Simon Harris said today.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers has already confirmed that any one-off measures in Budget 2025 will be on a much lower scale than seen in previous years.
The Taoiseach said today that the new cost-of-living package will help families and householders this year, as people are “still financially hurting”.
Harris said the Government is looking at measures to help people “in the here and now”.
“In relation to the Budget, yes, there will be a cost-of-living package this calendar year,” he added.
“I think it’s very important that there is one,” he added.
“While we can point to many indicators that show that inflation is very significantly reducing, it’s entirely true, it doesn’t take away from the fact that that hasn’t been felt yet at homes, businesses, farms, right across Ireland.
“Therefore, I do think it’s important that we look at a time when the country is doing economically well, and what more practical measures we can take to help people in the here and now.
“Obviously, the composition of the package, the size of it, and all of that will be a matter for engagement across government, and will be announced on Budget Day, on the first of October.”
Lump sum payments in the last two budgets have proved popular among householders, which included fuel allowances and double payments for child benefit. A double child benefit has already been indicated by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
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October budget to feature a ‘bribe package’ to which most will accept. Accept the few crumbs thrown at them and in return will put effectively, the same government back in power at the next GE. We get what we deserve at the end of the day!
@Andrew Kenny: The opposition, ie SF has an opportunity to counter, with proposals that will make people’s lives better, but since the June elections they have issued 2 policy documents without a cent of costs , but promise to issue them…When?
Most people will vote for the incumbents because the alternative haven’t, can’t provide facts in their proposals.
People work hard for what they have and are very slow to change unless credible alternatives are given.
It’s up to all the other parties to ” topple ” the government with the aid of the electorate but right they are seriously lacking in all departments.
@Andrew Kenny: was just looking at odds on paddy power of “when will there be a general election Ireland — 2024 OR 2025??”…..2024 is at 2/7 and 2025 is at 9/4. I find it bemusing that the official soundbite is that ” this government will go full distance “…… Like it’s SO obvious it’ll be within weeks of the giveaway ‘ budget. Dole spongers WON’T be voting FFG in their droves though
@Buster Lawless: they will spend it in Penneys and the off licence
@Buster Lawless: Wow, that’s a political acumen that I never thought existed…
@Paul O’Mahoney: I’ll admit I was leaning towards SF (for 1st time) but after that spectacular implosion as regards the stupidly worded referendums and then the ‘locals’…… well, that ship has sailed
@Andrew Kenny: they have given a cost of living package in the last 3 budgets and this one will be smaller. But somehow this smaller one is a bribe but the previous larger ones weren’t because they didn’t happen in a budget year? Bizarre logic. There are lots of reasons to vote this government out but one thing they have done well is the cost of living packages.
@Buster Lawless: I doubt you lean anyway Dude , you apparently are a Trump supporter and are thinking of voting for SF , hilarious and very infantile
@Paul O’Mahoney: ?? Strange comment…. You’ll find this v confusing but I have “dual” citizenship…… I always voted republican stateside but since returning/retiring back to the ‘old sod’ I’m a bit of an ‘undecided’…..tbh, I find it v difficult to align with a party here that represents my values & beliefs
@Andrew Kenny: If they give money in whatever way, its a “bribe budged”. If they don’t, they’re not listening or ignoring the cost of living. They never can please.
@Paul O’Mahoney: If you do a quick Google you can find an alternative Sinn Fein budget for 2024. No doubt they’ll do one for 2025. You will be able to read their 2025 budget and compare it with the FFGs and then decide which is better!
@Buster Lawless: No dirty auld men to align yourself with over here..Awwww .. must be tough for someone of your disposition Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.. again..
@Andrew Kenny: billions aren’t crumbs, plus the money is available because of the prudent management of the economy by the Govt parties.
@Brian: ?? Jeez, some weird comments on this ‘boards”…. Appreciate there’s probably a lot of trolling on these comments sections but ( not that it’s any of your business/concern) I’ve been married over 3 decades & have 5 adult children. Perhaps your gutter ramblings would be better suited to a more ‘adult’ website??????
@Buster Lawless: You’re the biggest cheerleader/troll on this site for a man who was found guilty of sexual assault.. who grabs women by the p**sy… bought Ms Teen USA pageant to take a strolls.. unannounced.. into backstage dressing room areas of underage girls .. BFFs with Jeffrey..and a man who sexualises his own daughter publicly.. spare me the “I’m a family man ‘ spiel Ken..if thats the kind of person you can relate to.. says a hell of a lot about you..
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: The annual budget that doesn’t take into account the current nor future fiscal situation, bit like your incessant ramblings about increasing tax revenue taken in isolation from the reality of running a country.
Frankly, you are the perfect example of SF all talk and no substance. You, in particular, don’t even understand the figures but it doesn’t stop you from repeating it and your source , twitter, all the information is freely available from multiple agencies, but you chose twitter…..says a lot
@Brian: as previously posted Ken, these gutter level ramblings ( & foul language)would probably be better suited to a more ‘age appropriate ‘ website. I’ll admit to being at a total loss as to any connection/ link to an article relating to IRISH budget but there you go. tbh I never engage with trolls but I wish you all the best & can only suggest you seek out & avail of any help you require
@Paul O’Mahoney: You have no clue what you’re on about because you love to spout your Pro FFG nonsense….. If you’re happy to still be paying austerity taxes 16 years later, being given breadcrumbs for tax relief during massive inflation and a COL crisis then more fool you…. Scary how they can spend so recklessly and unchecked while their citizens struggle. They try to avoid meaningful tax cuts at all costs!!! Their performance and spending would not be accepted in any business! Zero accountability, just bluffers firefighting and stumbling through their term on the gravy train!!! As for my information, I looked it up the governments annual reports, I also looked up their expenditure broken down but department over the years too….. Have you?!?! Clown!
@Buster Lawless: Getting more difficult to understand your gibberish now Ken. See once you go off your copy and paste stuff you’re really exposed for the clown you are. Deflect all you want Ken.. but the fact you think reading facts about Dumps litenany of sexual offences belongs on an ‘ adult website ‘ should set alarm bells ringing in your head.. alas, they don’t.. although I’m at a loss to know what kind of adult websites cater for that kind of filth.. but you’re obviously in the know…
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: Still no facts
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: Great men for looking for ‘ facts ‘ without presenting a single one themselves.. looking for costings when FFGs costings might as well be written in the back of a beer mat for all the good they are.. airy fairy numbers presented and when the inevitably go over budget on literally everything.. ya still get clowns claiming they’re fiscally solid. Lol.
@Paul O’Mahoney: So actual figures from govt budgets aren’t factual…… Bizarre take. That statement speaks a lot about you!….. Ignorance is bliss for some I suppose!
@Paul O’Mahoney: Let’s cut to the chase Paul since you think you know so much. You haven’t given any legit argument or facts to counter what I’m saying……. Explain why IT and VAT has increased so much since 2019 (they were the biggest takes back then). Why has govt spending increased from 77 billion to 110 billion since then? Could departmental spending be managed better so that austerity taxes could be removed or bands adjusted meaningfully?!?! Let’s have some facts please!……. And the extra IT isn’t just down to the 300k extra jobs, they’d all need to be taxed on a salary of 100k to account for that much of an increase to their revenue! If they were all on the “average salary” of 45k they’d raise around 2.6 of the 10.8 billion extra income tax.
@Buster Lawless: Buster, I thought you were having a laugh. If you didn’t have so many accounts, it might be funny sometimes. You’re getting really boring
@Paul O’Mahoney: Good man, didn’t think so….. All talk, nothing to back it up. Why bother! Embarrassing
Jobseekers Allowance should be halved
@Golf Ball: well, that’s a bit extreme……. But say a 10%reduction every 6 months…… Surely nobody could gripe at that???
@Golf Ball:
I’m fed up of this nonsense. I need jobseekers to survive. I’m restricted where I can work for medical reasons. I’m applying for 10 jobs a day but I can’t drive so the areas I can work are limited. Get your facts right golf ball before judging people people. Come over to my house and witness an epileptic seizure and you’ll see what people like me have to live with every day of the week, month after month, year after year.
@Buster Lawless: if it was up to me I would half it, but I don’t hold the reins of power, I’m afraid
@Paul O Connor: OK then, those who are not looking for work, should have their dole cut
@Paul O Connor: sounds like you should be on disability benefit, not job seekers.
@Paul O Connor:
Hi Paul, my heart goes out to you and anybody who encounters epileptic seizures. I know exactly what a seizure is like esp a grand mall.
@Pat Hazzard:
People with epilepsy don’t qualify for disability. We’re on our own.
@Eamonn Murray:
Thanks Eamonn. Grand mal seizures are no picnic but you just live with it.
@Paul O Connor: jeez Paul, gotta admit I’m really shocked/ surprised to learn that an epilepsy diagnosis isn’t an automatic qualifying condition for disability allowance. Certainly didn’t mean or intend any disrespect with my earlier comment – obviously, was referencing those who simply don’t ‘want’ to take employment. Best of luck for the future.
@Paul O Connor: proper order different people have different circumstances so it should be taken into account.
@Buster Lawless:
I know you didn’t mean anything Buster. I just went on a bit of a rant after the 1st comment from a certain ball playing person. Thanks for the best wishes and I do know there are plenty of people out there bludging the system. All the best to you. Take care.
@Paul O Connor: Disability Allowance is granted to those with regular seizures. I think you your bluffing.
@Paul O Connor: They do, obviously you have read misguided facts. But you need a neurologist to sign. Big difference between getting one seizure a year and multiple seizures in a week.
@Golf Ball: how can you prove some one is looking /not looking for work
@Paul O Connor: paul you should apply again gp should support your application. And there is a man you can contact look him up if you can’t get it . Gareth Noble.
when will they get rid of USC, that extra tax on workers because Fianna Fail said we “all partied”, their convenient excuse for their mismanagement of the economy turning it into a casino for their Galway tent insiders
It’s not a ‘cost of living’ package. It’s the price the taxpayer pays for voting for FFG. If they properly regulated the market, we wouldn’t need to pay people’s bills for them. All this at a time when companies are making massive profits. Where are the Irish people to protest that?? A nation of sheep.
@Keyser Söze: Populist claptrap, where are the alternative suggestions?
@Paul O’Mahoney: Maybe they manage their departmental budgets properly instead of expanding them excessively because they’re taking in so much extra VAT and income tax since the pandemic!!!! That will free up massive amounts of cash for tax breaks! COL is around 20%, spending is up 30%+….. As I pointed out to you previously they took in nearly half the amount of tax in 2016 as compared to what they took in last year. The country was running fine in 2016. Or just over 50% more tax than they took in for 2019, in FOUR YEARS they’re taking in 50% more!!!!!…… How are they spending so much money and we are still paying austerity taxes?!?!?
@Keyser Söze: surge in energy prices were due to external factors.
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: perhaps you should look into it rather than continuing to post your claptrap, all the information is freely available for you to study and come back with a balanced critique and then you might gain some credence, but simply repeating a twitter post over and over again without context is tiresome.
@Paul O’Mahoney: Certainly we could eliminate VRT
@Paul O’Mahoney: you offer nothing of substance or factual in any of your posts my friend! I have given figures and comparisons over the years in mine!!!!… It’s really not hard to understand. To keep the figures simple, if inflation is 20% and I get a 20% raise on the “average salary” of 45k. My net salary increases by just 12.8%, the amount of tax I pay increases by 49.4%… understand why the income tax take has increased so much?!?! Tax bands and credits need to be adjusted. 40% rate hasn’t always been at 42k or the credits weren’t always at the rate they are now, they have increased over the years through the effects of inflation. But Govt are absorbing and spending excessive amounts of tax thanks to COL pay increase and out of date IT bands. VAT huge too!… Simple to understand!
Do me a favour. They’ll throw an extra fiver a week at the working man and call it a give away. This government makes me sick. Can’t wait to vote this shower out, but unfortunately, the sheep will vote them in again.
@Shimo F: we have no opposition, so between a rock and a hard place
@Shimo F: those who value democracy and employment will be certainly voting to return FG and FF to Govt.
While oil and gas companies make record profits. It makes no sense.
Massive hike in Childcare prices, Heating oil, Petrol & Diesel, Insurance increasing despite all the reforms, PSO Levy reinstated by the CRU, Groceries to increase now with the fuel hikes, all these will lead to inflation & another round of increased Interest Rates, huge hikes, yet Harris, Ryan & Martin will get the complicit Media to tell Joe & Josephine they are doing great & giving you a few Euro’s back but taking multiples of that back from you in their latest three card trick. There is no hope & no chink of light for those couples who get out of bed in the morning & go to work & pay their taxes & even less light for any adult children living with them. Ireland no longer provides anything for those who work hard, a great place for those who don’t work & the new arrivals.
Give themselves a pay rise too, Good boys
@Jonathan Hanlon: all public servants are subject to same pay agreement, TDs don’t and can’t set their own pay unilaterally.
Pensioners tax exemptions €18,000 (€350 pw) has not been increased for many years
Any earnings above that is subject to tax at 40 percent ,
Please Simon, have a friendly word with your colleague Jack, loosen up the purse Strings.
At our age a little goes long way . Even a small increase around €1000 pa . Would be great ,
.
Ŕ
@sean callan: Again it’s only 40% if you are availing of marginal relief and it’s your choice to change that…not revenue nor the government.
I explained this to you but it seems you’re content on lying.
@sean callan:
40% at 42K.
Like the other person said, you posted the same comment before.
It’s a pity that kite flying is not an Olympic Sport. Irish politicians and meeja would win gold, silver and bronze!
And the people that need it now won’t get it until next year after a few of them commit suicide
@Niall Fennessy: a pretty sick comment. And for the record, the amount is to be paid this year
More money for the Coolock Say No brigade to go up to Belfast to their unionists friends and throw rocks at everyone!
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