News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The changes are a response to criticism that the current system gives too much power to the government of the day

Government plans changes to budget process

The Government is to seek Dáil approval for a series of changes to the way the annual budget process works.

The Commission seems to be joining forces with Ibec in pushing for more capital spending

Blog: The European Commission recommends...

We are now halfway through the budget-making process for 2017, the point at which the European Commission sends out Country-specific Recommendations to member states, writes RTÉ's Economics Correspondent Sean Whelan.

Business • 18 May 16

The Department of Finance estimates the government will have €900m of net 'Fiscal Space' in preparing the 2017 budget

Finance expects more room for spending in Budget

The Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said that the government is likely to have at least €400m more than expected to fund spending increases and tax cuts at its 2017 budget.

Business • 27 Apr 16

Geroge Osborne does not want Britain to leave the EU

Osborne plans spending cuts in British budget

British Finance Minister George Osborne said he would announce deeper cuts to public spending this week in order to protect his plan to eliminate the budget deficit from a weakening of the economy.

World • 14 Mar 16

The European Commission checks draft budget plans of euro zone countries every year

Budget 'broadly compliant' with Commission rules

The country's Budget 2016 is "broadly compliant" with the provisions of the European Commission's Stability and Growth Pact, the Commission said today.

Business • 17 Nov 15

The IMF is critical of moves to stabilise rents, saying moves that reduce the rates of return on investment properties could discourage construction

Increased spending and tax cuts were correct - IMF

The IMF has said Budget 2016 was correct to share the fruits of economic recovery through increased spending and tax cuts.

Business • 16 Nov 15

OECD would like to see politicians receive training to scrutinise the State's finances

OECD urges Dáil engagement in budget policy

An international think tank has recommended that the Government step up the involvement of Oireachtas committees in the preparations for the Budget.

Business • 11 Nov 15

Michael Noonan publishes Finance Bill 2016

New petroleum production tax in Finance Bill

The Government has announced the introduction of a new "petroleum production tax" which will increase the maximum tax take on an oil or gas producing field from 40% to 55%.

Business • 22 Oct 15

S&P's said this week's budget was expansionary, but was unlikely to derail fiscal consolidation

Budget won't overheat the Irish economy - S&P's

Rating agency Standard & Poor's has said that Budget 2016 will not overheat the Irish economy.

Business • 16 Oct 15

Free GP care to be expanded from under-sixes to under 12 year olds

IMO 'surprised' at free GP care for under 12s move

The Chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation's GP Committee has said he was "surprised" at the announcement of free GP care for the under 12s in yesterday’s Budget.

Budget 2018 • 14 Oct 15

The ministers announced the Budget in the Dáil yesterday

Fiscal Advisory Council clarifies Budget comments

The Chairman of the Fiscal Advisory Council has clarified comments he made earlier today stating that Budget 2016 was too expansionary.

Budget 2018 • 14 Oct 15

Most business groups have responded positively to Budget 2016

Broadly positive reaction to Budget 2016

Business groups have given a broadly positive reaction to the measures announced in Budget 2016.

Budget 2018 • 13 Oct 15

The rise in minimum wage will take effect from 1 January

Minimum wage to rise to €9.15 per hour

The minimum wage is to be increased from €8.65 to €9.15 per hour, beginning 1 January.

Budget 2018 • 13 Oct 15

Michael McGrath said the budget failed to answer many of the questions facing Ireland

Opposition says Budget enforces societal divisions

Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has described Budget 2016 as an attempt by the Government "to take a short cut to popularity".

Budget 2018 • 13 Oct 15

The €10 million will be diverted to the scheme from the sale of Bord Gáis

Affordable housing scheme to be piloted

The Minister for Public Expenditure has announced that €10 million would be made available from the proceeds of the sale of Bord Gáis for an affordable housing pilot scheme.

Budget 2018 • 13 Oct 15

12c charge for ATM transactions to be introduced

Business • 13 Oct 15

It's planned to extend free GP care to all children aged 11 and under, subject to successful negotiations with representatives of doctors

Free GP care to be extended, subject to agreement

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said it is planned to extend free GP care to all children aged 11 and under, subject to successful negotiations with representatives of doctors.

Budget 2018 • 13 Oct 15