Column: Here’s how the Budget could have been fairer
It was an exercise in macho posturing, writes Mary Murphy – but there are ways for the Government to boost our confidence in them.
It was an exercise in macho posturing, writes Mary Murphy – but there are ways for the Government to boost our confidence in them.
Budget 2013 is less than a week old but already thoughts are turning to Budget 2014 and the possibility it could be held earlier than December next year.
Breaking via The Mire wire: Wine replaces the euro as common currency; Budget enshrines right to die in poverty and exclusive details of the Love/Hate Christmas special.
The government claims neither of the two main opposition parties had their pre-budget submissions fully costed but this has been described as a “complete red herring” by Fianna Fáil.
Minister Shatter said that a garda sitting at a desk in a small garda station for three hours a day is not the best way to tackle crime.
The cuts contained in this Budget fly in the face of Government statements on growth and protection. They’re difficult to justify, writes Michael Taft.
… and some people who didn’t understand the fuss
You may have missed these nuggets in the flurry of austerity announcements.
How is the Budget going to affect readers? We asked a broad selection of them to find out.
Fenella Samways felt “truly horrified” by today’s Budget, feeling that those who can least afford to pay have been hit hardest once again.
Eric Driver is very disappointed in the loss of stamp duty relief for young farmers, calling it “short-sighted”.
Fintan Hynes thinks that the universal cut to the children’s allowance was unfair. He also thinks that the increase in car tax is going to make it a lot more difficult for couples who need to run two cars.
As a business owner, Gavin was happy that VAT remained unchanged and that there was no increase in the cost of fuel.
Don Donoghue feels that the cuts in this year’s Budget were disappointing but not entirely unexpected.
Jane, who’s unemployed and owns a house that’s in negative equity, is happy that the NPPR is to be axed but thinks that the blanket cut to the children’s allowance was a mistake.
Having bought a house this year, David Connolly estimates that today’s Budget has left him €523 worse off.
Andrew O’Connell had been expecting a greater cut to the Children’s Allowance. Overall, he believes today’s Budget could have been much worse.
Patricia Donlon is happy that carers haven’t been too badly hit but is disappointed at the cut to the respite care grant that she uses to “treat” her parents.
Elizabeth has not seen anything in the Budget that she believes will help her get the operation she needs or help her disabled son.
Pat Kelly was disappointed to hear that the respite grant had been cut but is happy that pensioners don’t seem to have been too badly effected.
TheJournal.ie brings you every detail of the Budget 2013 announcement, all the analysis and all the reaction.
Steve was in the DailyEdge.ie offices to offer some expert advice on Budget 2013.
Cuts to the child benefit rate is causing anxiety this evening, along with a range of other newly-announced changes.
The reduction represents a 19 per cent cut in the payment which is used by carers to pay for home help and respite care.
Apart from the closure of 98 part-time garda stations, two large stations in Stepaside and Kill O’ the Grange, Dublin will also close.
The reduced USC rate for some of those aged over 70 is to be discontinued, while tax relief on pension contributions will soon only subsidise pension schemes under €60k per annum.
The government has increased the excise on alcohol and cigarettes by more than was expected in Budget 2013.
The full text of the speech given by Brendan Howlin to the Dáil, as prepared in advance of delivery.
Donations made from the 2013 tax year will be subject to a new tax relief regime, with a “blended rate” of 31 per cent.
… and he needs a lie down.
The full text of the speech given by Michael Noonan to the Dáil, as prepared in advance of delivery.
The Budget is the anti-craic, so here are some little gems to cheer up your afternoon.
Economic analyst Mr Steve TheCat joins DailyEdge.ie for Budget 2013.
The Labour Party Chairman said that he ‘will look at the full package of the Budget’ before he votes tonight.
Introducing the numbers man, Mr Steve TheCat.
We spoke to some readers about their hopes and fears ahead of today’s budget. Here’s what they had to say, in their own words.
We spoke to some readers about their hopes and fears ahead of tomorrow’s budget. Here’s what they had to say, in their own words.
Today’s papers suggest the Cabinet has abandoned one in favour of the other. We’re asking: which would you introduce?
VRT increases, road tax increases, and a new registration plate system.
The first documents for Budget 2013 show the government expecting a 4.5 per cent increase in income tax in 2013.