To say Ireland has the right idea: Budget 2023

[50percentNamaste50percentGoFuckYourself]

I watched agog at last weeks UK mini budget...an absolute travesty.

Today was Ireland's Budget 2023, which was much more impressive.
Hightlights include:

25% reduction in childcare fees
Extension of free GP care to cover half the country
Free contraception
Large reductions in third level fees (which were already a third of the UK)
Increases in lower tax bands
Increases in all social welfare payments
Double payment of child benefit
Electricity credits of 600€ per household
Reduced tax on fuels and energy costs
Increase rent tax credits
Funding for 10,000 new social homes
Increased third level grants
Removal hospital charges and free contraception extended

It's all concentrated on the cost of living, on making things easier for people on low and average wages, looking after those with less.

It's what a budget in these times should be

I would hate to see Sinn Fein in power. I hope it never happens. Having politicians with a such a strong link to violent crime ruling our country is extremely upsetting to me. I do not know how some people can support them to be honest.

Same, agree @Evanna13

I’d hate to see SF in government too. Their economic policies are insane.

Agreed.

I don't think many have confidence SF passed lip service.

Mary Lou is obsessed with a united Ireland it isn't the time for distractions.

The country needs a government fit to deal with the internal issues that are well overdue and in desperate need of repair.

I'm happy to keep hoping they'll turn things around and focus on the people who voted for them.

*any confidence in SF.

My best friend is in Dublin, and although she does pay for the GP, she's never waiting weeks to be seen which is much better than I can say for NI.

Would any poster here be able to tell me about the fuel allowance. Now that the budget has changed things around are people on working family payment entitled to claim for this? Or still only other social welfare payments?

Doesn't look like that was one of the changes made. You can get fuel allownce with OFP and WFP, but not WFP on it's own. Sorry

Now you might know how it felt to be in the North with the DUP/UVF in power for so long.

But I have to wonder at people in the South shaking their heads at Sinn Fein being historically tied to the IRA when they fucked off and left their fellow Irish citizens to be burned out of their homes, denied jobs and housing and education....and might I remind you all that UNIONISTS took up arms FIRST.

Brains imploding yet? There would have been no IRA had British unionists in the North treated Irish citizens here with some fucking respect. They took up arms against innocent and discriminated against Irish people and started the Troubles. Meanwhile, our fellow Irish in the South pretended they didn't notice.

And the Tories did a deal with the political wing of the UVF!

I've heard of the British army being in involved in things like crime, murder, hangings, torture, brutality and such but it might just be a rumour (you know how rumours spread - there's probably nothing to it).

The queen was the head of the British army during her reign and Charles is now the head of the British army. I don't associate with that lot either. 😏

@XOXOGossipGirlXOXO Unfortunately no change. It's very hard when you're only slightly above the cut-off when heating costs are through the roof.

I'd imagine there'll be quite a few people in the position of heating or eating.

The community welfare officer and SVDP will be busy this year.

@XOXOGossipGirlXOXO depending on the date on wfp was issued you might be able to take on seasonal work over Christmas.

We were on it a couple of years ago and I was able to take on seasonal work.

My payment was March to March.

They advised once I was back to my ordinary hours before March it'd be okay as the years payment was already issued.

Thank god it's not calculated monthly like the UK tax credit.

I don't particularly like the shinners either, but you'd be a fool not to take them very seriously in the next election.
100% agree.
People who ordinarily would never want SF are willing to vote for them with the mindset it can't be any worse.
Plus they seem to be interested in Ireland not just pleasing the EU.

Not to mention the many people living in unsafe apartments that were thrown up during the Celtic Tiger years with no official checks to ensure they meet minimum safety standards.
People are now being handed ridiculous bills to bring their homes up to minimum legal standards, which they were assured in writing at the time had been met.

@Arbesque That is a huge issue.

Safety checks and lack of ventilation.

I see a lot of new building apartment blocks in the city covered in damp and mould on the outside walls.

I can only imagine the damp and mould inside.

It actually could be a lot worse!
Ireland has come on so much since joining the EU.
I know it's not perfect but we are very lucky to be in Ireland.
Sinn Fein are very good at complaining but have very few solutions. I do not understand how anyone could vote for them after all the violence done in their name.
I previously would have voted for Social Democrats but next time will be voting FG to keep SF out.

www.thejournal.ie/investment-funds-selling-homes-swords-5884044-Oct2022/
Our Tea-sock is a weasel.

Sinn Fein are very good at complaining but have very few solutions.
They haven’t had the opportunity yet.

Mica/pyrite/ building defects should be paid for through hiking property tax, not by robbing from younger people.

Mica/pyrite/ building defects should be paid for through hiking property tax, not by robbing from younger people.

It shouldn't be placed on the tax payer.
The multi million euro companies who made the money should be covering the costs.

Or the concrete suppliers.

Government members have a personal interest in Vulture funds ensuring that young families are outbid in the housing market.

Excuses for everything.

No responsibility placed on anyone's door.

Looking at the money the Catholic Church has and the mess bon secour left behind in Tuam where young children and babies are buried today in a septic tank.

Why aren't they being held responsible paying for the children rotting in a tank instead of apologies and moving on.

Totally agree, but see no sign of that happening!

Progressive Ireland my eye. 🥺