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Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath speak to media ahead of the publication of the White Paper

Lower than forecast budget deficit of €21bn expected

The Government expects to run a budget deficit this year of just over €21bn or 6% of GDP, which is lower than forecast, largely due to stronger tax receipts running 15% ahead of expectations.

budget 2021 • 12 Oct 20

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said: 'We need to ensure that the budget offers hope - hope that incomes can be sustained, jobs can be protected, and the economy can be revived'

Social Democrats Budget would establish sick pay scheme

The Social Democrats have said their Budget priorities are protecting people and quality of life.

budget 2021 • 09 Oct 20

Sinn Féin has pledged €1.5bn to deliver 20,000 social and affordable homes

SF alternative Budget pledges reverse in PUP, TWSS cuts

Sinn Féin has pledged to reverse the cuts to the pandemic unemployment payment and wage subsidy in its alternative budget.

budget 2021 • 09 Oct 20

The IoD wants tax reliefs and incentives to increase and speed up the digital transformation of business in Budget 2021

IoD wants Budget measures to speed up digital change

The Institute of Directors in Ireland has called for Budget 2021 to include tax reliefs and incentives to further increase and accelerate the digital transformation of Irish business, particularly for start-ups and SMEs.

budget 2021 • 09 Oct 20

46% of those surveyed by Taxback.com said they would back a wealth tax on people's incomes over a certain threshold

Taxpayers favour cuts in public spending or wealth tax

60% of taxpayers here would favour cuts to public spending over increased taxes if faced with the prospect of a tough Budget, the the latest Taxback.com Taxpayer Sentiment Survey reveals.

budget 2021 • 09 Oct 20

Ibec said the 'experience economy' underpins both the economic and social fabric of the country

Restaurants facing revenue drop of up to 60%

Restaurants are predicting a 41% drop in revenue in the crucial last quarter of the year, according to a survey of the hospitality sector by consultancy firm Crowe.

budget 2021 • 08 Oct 20

Michael McGrath, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Core budget spending to rise by €3 billion in 2021

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said that without accounting for policy measures in key areas such as health and housing, the budget estimates for next year will include an increase of about €3 billion in core expenditure.

Budget 2021 • 08 Oct 20

The Government has been urged not to lose sight of the impact Brexit will have on Irish trade with the UK

Call for expansion of Brexit Contingency Fund in Budget

The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has called for the retention and expansion of the Brexit Contingency Fund along with other measures to support businesses that will likely be impacted by a no-deal Brexit.

Business • 08 Oct 20

Labour Party leader Alan Kelly said two hospitals could be purchased for somewhere in the order of €450 million

Govt has to buy two hospitals to boost capacity - Kelly

Labour wants the Government to buy two private hospitals to increase capacity and tackle waiting lists in the health service.

Politics • 07 Oct 20

The food and drink industry here remains very reliant on the UK market and is the sector most exposed to Brexit

'Exceptional' policy responses needed for Brexit impact

Food Drink Ireland, the Ibec group which represents the food and drink sector, has called for exceptional targeted policy responses to offset the impacts of Brexit in next week's Budget.

Budget 2021 • 07 Oct 20

Govt to use Rainy Day Fund money in Budget 2021

The Minister for Finance has received approval from the Cabinet for the €1.5 billion contained in the so-called Rainy Day Fund to be drawn down and used in Budget 2021.

Business • 06 Oct 20

The Ministers will be aiming for a deficit that won't be an outlier compared to the rest of Europe, but the government will have room to introduce a 'stimulatory' budget.

Expect some budget stimulus measures but no 'giveaway'

The Government is expected to have extra flexibility to consider stimulus measures in next week's budget, thanks mainly to tax revenue holding up better than expected this year.

Budget 2021 • 06 Oct 20

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said a further €7 billion in new revised estimates would have to be introduced this year

Unemployment to remain high next year - Donohoe

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has described the forecast fall in domestic economic activity this year of 6.5% and an average unemployment rate of 16% as "truly horrific figures".

Budget 2021 • 02 Oct 20

Ireland Active propose Employee Exercise Scheme

Ireland Active is today calling on Government for tax relief measures, grants and a VAT rate reduction for the leisure, health and fitness sector as part of the key asks in their pre-Budget 2021 submission.

Business • 29 Sep 20

Dublin Chamber wants Capital Gains Tax to be cut to 20% from 33% for investments in indigenous SMEs in Budget 2021

Dublin Chamber calls for new 20% CGT rate for SMEs

Business group Dublin Chamber has called on the Government to reduce Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 20% from 33% for investments in indigenous SMEs in Budget 2021.

Budget 2021 • 29 Sep 20

The Family Business Network publishes its Budget 2021 submission today

Family businesses call for Capital Gains Tax cut

The Family Business Network has today called for a reduction in Capital Gains Tax from 33% to 20% to spur investment in indigenous companies in its Budget 2021 submission.

Budget 2021 • 24 Sep 20

IHBA members are reporting a 26% drop in planned developments this year

26% drop in planned developments - Irish home builders

The Irish Home Builders Association has called for urgent, targeted action to be taken in Budget 2021 to address the challenges of affordability and supply of new homes.

Business • 23 Sep 20

Far from it being a 'splash the cash' budget, any increase in spending is likely to be targetted and specific

Budget 2021 - rewriting the rule book

There's less than a month to go until Budget 2021, but already it's shaping up to be unlike any other we've known in recent memory.

Budget 2021 • 25 Sep 20

IFAC is proposing a flexible stimulus fund to respond to the ups and downs of COVID and a no-deal Brexit.

IFAC calls for continued income supports in Budget 2021

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has urged the Government to continue to support the incomes of both households and businesses in next month's Budget.

Budget 2021 • 17 Sep 20

The main priority of Budget 2021 will be management of the Covid crisis and Brexit

Government says income tax won't change in Budget

The Minister for Finance has confirmed that the Government does not plan to make any changes to income tax, USC or PRSI in October's budget.

Budget 2021 • 25 Sep 20

Gabriel Makhlouf tells the Finance Minister that the Budget must focus on building resilience to future shocks

Budget must focus on building resilience to new shocks

The Central Bank Governor has urged the Finance Minister to focus on three issues in next month's Budget as the economy continues to grapple with the effects of Covid-19.

Business • 16 Sep 20

Ibec says the economy 'is not yet ready to carry itself' and will need ongoing support

Ibec calls for €6bn support for businesses in Budget

Employers' group Ibec has called on the Government to provide an additional €6bn in supports for businesses in the upcoming Budget.

Budget 2021 • 25 Sep 20

Mr McCarthy draws attention to the 'excess' savings by households running to €5-€6bn.

State's chief economist warns on state of the economy

A presentation by the Department of Finance's chief economist describes the fall in the economy in the second three months of this year as 'the largest economic contraction on record.'

Business • 15 Sep 20

The TSG recommends a new VRT charging scheme to 'level the playing field' between different emissions tests

Energy tax take to fall despite carbon tax rise - TSG

The Tax Strategy Group paper on Climate Action and Tax contains a range of suggestions for tax increases on energy.

Budget 2021 • 28 Sep 20

Revenue's review of flat rated expenses covered 53 job types and 134 categories

TSG urges "careful consideration" of flat-rate expenses

The Tax Strategy Group paper on income tax says that the timing of any proposed changes to the system of flat rate expenses for employees will require 'careful consideration' and must be weighed against the present 'unprecedented social and economic circumstances.'

Budget 2021 • 28 Sep 20