Budget2021 - Talking points and reaction
The government is looking to spend its way out of the recession, confirming there's set to be a €17 billion budget deficit next year.
The largest budget in the history of the state will be funded by borrowing heavily.
Some of the big talking points- VAT for hospitality will be reduced to 9% from November 1st until December 2021, Help to buy scheme extended, Pack of 20 cigarettes increase by 50c, €8.5billion for COVID supports, several road projects announced by Minister Michael McGrath include the Dunkettle interchange in Cork, €10m for Cork and Shannon airports, Fuel allowance up by €3.50 a week to €28, Children's Benefit up by €5 for over 12s and €2 for under 12s and the Christmas bonus to be paid to those on PUP and other welfare if they've been on that for 4 months instead of the usual 15 months.
With the latest on Budget2021 is Seán Defoe for RedFM News:
However the opposition has criticised the Budget as "lacking ambition" and a "huge missed opportunity".
Sinn Fein has criticised the government's decision not to restore the pandemic unemployment payment to €350 a week.
And finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty felt more should've been done for pensioners:
Elsewhere Labour says people in rural Ireland haven't been well served by the budget measures.
The party;s Ged Nash is also concerned the delivery on housing won't match the promises.
And for the Social Democrats, action on the long waiting lists for non covid care ; and the funding for mental health services fell short.
Opposition responses to today's announcements are continuing in the Dail this evening.
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