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Overruns on projects like the new children's hospital are squeezing the budget

Fiscal council in warning over cost overruns

Cost overruns in projects such as the National Children's Hospital and the National Broadband Plan "squeeze the budget for other investments set out in the National Development Plan," the State's independent finance watchdog has warned.

Politics • 10 Jun 19

Italy has committed to not adding to its colossal €2 trillion debt load next year

Italy and EU reach budget truce as Rome backs down

The EU and Italy have today called a truce in their bitter row over Rome's disputed 2019 budget, as the populist government agreed to put off signature reforms.

Business • 19 Dec 18

IFAC warned of the danger of basing permanent spending increases on what could be transitory tax revenues

IFAC repeats warnings on Government spending

The Fiscal Advisory Council has repeated its warnings about basing permanent increases in Government spending on volatile sources of revenue, notably Corporation Tax.

Business • 06 Dec 18

Boom and bust cycle doomed to repeat itself?

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council is not happy with Budget 2019 and makes no bones about it in a 179-page report on what could go wrong, writes Economic Correspondent Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 28 Nov 18

The key revenue raising measures of Paschal Donohoe's Budget have been passed in the Dáil

Dáil passes key revenue raising measures

The Dáil has passed some of the key revenue raising measures of Budget 2019, including an increase in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector from 9% to 13.5%.

Politics • 10 Oct 18

Funding has been renewed for six of the seven original SFI research centres

Moderate increase in next year's research budget

Spending on research and innovation has received a moderate increase of 12% or €40.25 million in Budget 2019, according the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Science • 09 Oct 18

Micheál Martin described hospital waiting lists and the housing situation as "scandalous"

FF seeking €200m investment in affordable housing

It has emerged that Fianna Fáil is seeking a €200m initial investment in a new affordable housing scheme as part of the Budget negotiations.

Politics • 11 Sep 18

Fiscal Council urges Government to run a budget surplus to prepare for the next 'inevitable downturn'

Financial watchdog urges Govt to stand by Budget plans

The Fiscal Advisory Council says the Government should stick to its previously published Budget plan for a Budget-day package of €800m.

Business • 07 Sep 18

Expected tax changes in Budget 2019 may only benefit workers by as little as €5 a week, according to tax expert Brian Keegan

Workers may only get an extra €5 in Budget 2019

The Director of Public Policy and Tax at the Institute of Chartered Accountants has said he expects tax changes in Budget 2019 to benefit workers by as little as €5 a week.

Budget • 06 Sep 18

Central Bank Governor Philip Lane defends sale of mortgage portfolios to vulture funds

Lane urges Government to build up fiscal buffers

The Governor of the Central Bank has warned the Government that it should put financial reserves aside in case of an economic downturn.

Budget • 05 Sep 18

The IUA detailed what it called the 'calamitous' fall in State third level funding

Universities call for significant funding increase

State third level funding per student is half what it was ten years ago, according to the body representing Ireland's seven universities.

Education • 05 Jul 18

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says the country can't build permanent expenditure commitments on revenues that may not be sustainable

Donohoe does not want to add fuel to economic fire

The Government is planning a budgetary package of €3.4 billion for 2019, of which €2.6 billion has already been allocated.

Business • 20 Jun 18

The council said any higher than expected revenues from housebuilding should be put into a rainy day fund

Fiscal Advisory Council warns of overspending in Budget

The Fiscal Advisory Council says the Government should not increase spending in the next budget by any more than €3.5 billion.

Budget • 06 Jun 18

Finance Minister eyes spending increase commitments next year of €2.6 billion

Finance Minister promises 'good and careful' budget

The Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform says the next budget would be along the same vein as the last two budgets and will be a "good and careful" budget.

Business • 25 Apr 18

There has been mounting anger among trade unions about the failure to resolve the two-tier pay structure

Call for acceleration of pay restoration in budget

The Government must accelerate pay restoration for post-2011 public service recruits on 10% lower pay rates by making funding available in October's budget, according to the Forsa trade union.

Ireland • 20 Apr 18

Congress had been in deadlock in recent weeks

US Congress approves bill ending brief shutdown

The US Congress has ended a brief government shutdown by reaching a wide-ranging deal that is expected to push budget deficits into the $1 trillion-a-year zone.

US • 09 Feb 18

Five issues to focus politicians' minds

Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane looks at some of the issues that will both dominate Dáil debate and influence the thinking of politicians in the months ahead.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Jan 18

The minimum wage is going up by 30 cent to €9.55 per hour from today

Budget changes to tax and USC take effect

Workers and consumers will benefit from several Budget changes that kick in from today.

Budget • 01 Jan 18

A tale of two budgets

Economics Correspondent Sean Whelan examines analysis of the euro states' draft budgets as British Chancellor Philip Hammond also delivered his budget statement.

Analysis • 22 Nov 17

The Commission also said Ireland is one of five countries that are broadly compliant, while six are 'compliant'

EU says France, five others risk breaking deficit rules

The European Commission has warned that six euro zone countries, including France, are at risk of breaching the EU's tough public spending rules.

Business • 22 Nov 17

Theresa May said the Budget will set out how 'my Government is building a Britain fit for the future'

UK Budget to make Britain 'fit for the future' - May

British Prime Minister Theresa May has promised a Budget to make Britain "fit for the future", after Chancellor Philip Hammond briefed Cabinet on his plans.

Business • 22 Nov 17

In letters addressed to each of the five governments, the Commission pointed out that the reduction in their structural deficits fell short of what EU rules required

Commission warns five EU countries over 2018 budgets

The European Commission has warned Italy, France, Portugal and Belgium that their 2018 draft budget plans pose risks to meeting EU debt and deficit-reduction targets and has asked Spain for an updated budget draft that contains more information.

Business • 27 Oct 17

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will announce the Budget on Tuesday

Water refunds, Christmas welfare bonus in Budget plans

The White Paper on estimated Receipts and Expenditure for 2018 has been published, and it shows the Government is planning to refund Irish Water charges and pay a Christmas Social Welfare bonus.

Budget 2018 • 07 Oct 17

The ESRI recognises a need for increased levels of capital spending, particularly for social housing

ESRI recommends Government implements neutral budget

The Economic and Social Research Institute has said a neutral budget, neither inflating nor contracting the economy, is the most appropriate policy for Budget 2018.

News • 05 Oct 17

Brendan Howlin says there is insufficient space to cut taxes in next month's Budget

Labour says 'no scope' for tax cuts as Dáil returns

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has urged the Taoiseach to accept that there is no scope for tax cuts in next month's Budget.

Politics • 20 Sep 17