Budget 2022 Update

8 Oct

Here are some of the highlights of budget 202. You can also view my full Budget 2022 update here:

· + €5 in the main weekly welfare payments
+ €5 State pension

· + €5 in weekly fuel allowance payment (takes effect from tonight)

· Means-test for Carer's Allowance to be broadened - Thousands more carers
+ €10 Back to School Allowance

· More lone parents will also be eligible to receive Back to School Allowance
Double payment of welfare allowances at Christmas

· Freeze of childcare fees

· Free GP care to children under eight

· Half price public transport for 19 to 23 year olds from the middle of next year

· + 800 Gardaí and 400 civilian staff

· 20% increase in the Garda Mountain Bike unit.

· Minimum wage increase to €10.50

· €50 increase in personal tax credit

· €1,500 extra in higher tax rate threshold

· Working from home credit where you can claim 30% of broadband and electricity off taxation -Threshold also increasing

· Hot school meals to benefit 15,000 more students

· Free contraception for women 17-25

· €90m for aviation

· €4bn health

· €250m to reduce waiting lists in health

· Teacher pupil ratio in primary schools reduced from 25 to 24

· Domiciliary Allowance paid for children in hospital for 6 months, up from 3 months

· + €5 weekly Maternity Benefit

· + €5 weekly Parents Leave

· €2 million fund to assist community safety projects

· €13 million to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

· €25 million to support live events sector

· Pilot scheme to provide a basic income for artists

· Drugs Repayment Scheme - maximum amount someone will pay for approved prescribed drugs will be cut from €114 a month to €100.

· €100 million for disability services

· 1,200 additional Special Needs Assistants

· €40 million to market Ireland overseas as a tourist destination

Emer Higgins

Irish Corporate Governance (Gender Balance) Bill 2021