# Budget 2014
All time
# money fight
€2.1 billion: That's how much extra the government could have to play with now
Figure for early debt repayment was €1.5b last week, but what’s €600m between friends?
# Closing Time
More than 1,000 Irish pubs have had to shut down since 2007
And it’s all about tax, say industry chiefs.
# Loosen Up
€800 million, not €2 billion in budget cuts is enough, government told
The Nevin Economic Research Institute says that with the economy recovering, less severe budget cuts are needed.
# in depth
Shinnernomics: Opponents call them fantasy, so how realistic are Sinn Féin's budget proposals?
The rise of Sinn Féin raises obvious questions about what they would do in government. We take a closer look at the party’s economic policies.
Voices
Column: Clarity is needed on the pension levy 'jobs initiatives' claim
The Government’s inaction on pensions begs the question of whether it has a long-term strategy for pensions at all, writes Samantha McConnell.
# One Parent Family
Shared parenting "penalised" as single parents receive 2014 tax credit certs
Tax credits for single parents are now only available to one parent regardless of custody arrangements.
Voices
Column: The State’s new year resolution should be to cherish all children equally
Cuts introduced since the beginning of the economic crisis have had a devastating effect on lone parent families, writes Louise Bayliss.
# Cuts
Apprentices to pay higher fees as budget cuts kick in
The costs are associated with registration fees paid to the institutes of technology attended by those in SOLAS/FÁS programmes.
# Budget 2014
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act comes into force today
It is just one of the measures kicking in today – others include changes to VAT, DIRT and tax credits for single parents.
# Review 2013
The day Enda got a political wallop and 7 other moments that defined the political year
Promissory note gone, abortion legislated for, the Seanad retained, and the bailout exited – here are few key moments from the past 12 months.
# income
Budget 2014 had greatest impact on low-income groups
A new look at budgets from 2009 to 2014 by the ESRI shows that the lowest impact of next year’s budget was on some middle income groups.
# Mental Health
'No comment to make' on reports Kathleen Lynch threatened to resign
The junior health minister was reported in yesterday’s Sunday Business Post to have threatened to quit the government at a meeting over a fortnight ago.
# Fiscal Advisory Council
Government budget advisors: No room for tax cuts until after 2016
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council is before the Oireachtas Finance Committee today.
# Consumers
Concern over Budget 2014 weakened consumer sentiment last month
KBC Bank said the most recent survey seems to reflect a “broad endorsement of domestic economic policy” even if there is a sense that it will hurt household finances.
# credit line
Decision on credit line will make it ‘more difficult’ to access future supports
A report published by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council today has warned that the changes in Budget 2014 have removed our “margin of safety”.
# Budget 2014
Dijsselbloem: EU ministers are 'losing patience' with Greece
The Eurogroup President made the comments to a Greek newspaper ahead of the country’s draft budget announcement today.
# Medical Cards
Reilly: 2014 will be the most challenging year ever for health services
The Minister for Health was speaking in the Dáil today where he defended the decision to lower medical card income limits.
# Viral Government
Taoiseach's 'day in the life' video part of government's growing social media presence
The government is increasingly delivering its message via new platforms with varying degrees of success.
# Bank Levy
Bank levy will cost Bank of Ireland €40 million a year
The Government estimated that the levy would raise a total of €150 million for the exchequer each year from all Irish domestic banks.
# Budget
HSE gets more time to come up with its service plan for next year
The HSE National Service Plan will now not be finalised until the middle of November at the latest.
# Shopping
People spent less on groceries in run-up to Budget announcement
Tesco has seen a decline the amount of money people are spending there, while Aldi and Lidl are going strong.
# The Taxman
Here's how much extra tax the government expects to take next year
Michael Noonan will be a happy man if these targets are hit…
# popularity
Post-Budget poll sees Labour slip to single-figure support
Fine Gael, on the other hand, have seen support climb by two points.
# Health
Vigil at children’s hospital to highlight medical card removal
Parents and supporters gathered at Crumlin Children’s Hospital this afternoon to protest revoking of cards for some chronically-ill children.
# maternity benefit
PICS: Pregnant mothers protest against maternity benefit cut outside Dáil
The Social Welfare Bill passed its final stage in the Dáil today though Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea said it’s not too late for the government to reverse this cut.
# Budget 2014
Dáil passes Social Welfare Bill which implements Budget 2014 cuts
The bill now goes to the Seanad the week after next.
# Budget 2014
'Mean, ruthless, vicious': TD scathing as Dáil votes to abolish bereavement grant
One opposition TD labelled the cut to the €850 grant as “a mean, ruthless, vicious targeting of people at their most vulnerable time”.
# Your Say
Poll: Do you support the new standarised rate of maternity benefit?
Maternity benefit will be standarised at €230 per week for new claimants from January.
# Family
Hundreds of separated dads concerned over "unjust" tax credit change
A support service has called the One Parent Family tax credit “unjust, unfair and underhanded”.
Voices
Column: Pitting one section of the Irish people against another weakens us all
Budget 2014 hit the most vulnerable elements of society – not the young, the sick, the old, or pregnant alone. We need to show intergenerational solidarity and stand together against this injustice, writes Peter Kavanagh.
# Budget 2014
Social Welfare and Pensions Bill passes second stage in Dáil
The bill passed the second stage by 79 votes to 44 and will now go before a committee.
# Budget 2014
Homeowners can claim tax relief on renovation and repair work from tomorrow
Measures announced by Michael Noonan in the Dáil last week will be legislated for next month.
# Social Welfare Bill
Minister says welfare bill protects against poverty, TDs say it's 'mean and cruel'
A slight difference of opinion over Budget cuts in the Dáil chamber today…
Voices
Column: Nobody ever chooses to be homeless – this government is pushing people to the brink
Access to health services is key to leaving homelessness behind – which is why Budget 2014 is so damaging to the Government’s commitment to end long-term homelessness by 2016, writes Niamh Randall.
# vox pop
VIDEO: Pensioners at today's protest believe the worst is yet to come
One worries that without the telephone allowance her emergency alarm will be cut off. Another wishes he had never moved back to Ireland.
# Protest
Thousands join pensioners’ protest against Budget cuts
The crowd at Leinster House was predominantly made up of elderly people who oppose cuts to medical cards for over 70s and other measures announced in last week’s Budget.
# Budget 2014
Howlin: 'I wish this government hadn't come in when our economy was broken'
Meanwhile, the Tánaiste has said that the Budget cuts announced last week stand.
# Vote of Confidence
Tánaiste and Howlin insist: James Reilly is doing a very good job
The Health Minister has the support of the Cabinet, two senior members insisted this morning.
# elderly people
"It's time to shout stop." - Elderly people to protest outside Dáil
The Irish Senior Citizens Parliament is hoping to recreate the success of 2008 protests that were held held five years ago today.
