Spending
The minister announces a 1.9 billion euro increase in spending in 2017
Comprehensive spending review to be carried out in advance of Budget 2018
Nurses, Teachers and Gardai
Almost 4,500 additional frontline staff – Gardaí nurses and teachers – in 2017
Health
Total spending for health to reach 14.6 billion euro in 2017
All children in receipt of domiciliary care allowance to get a medical card
Cap on prescription charges for 0ver 70’s to be cut by 5 euro a month to 20 euro a month from March
Additional 15 million to deal with waiting lists
Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe says they want to take care of those who need the most help:
Housing
1.2bn euro in funding for Housing in 2017.
Additional 28 million euro for emergency accommodation
Additional 105 million for HAP Scheme – brings budget to 153 million – will enable additional 15,000 households avail of payment
Education
2,400 extra teachers – 900 will be resource teachers
Increase in third level funding of 36.5 million euro
Childcare
New childcare scheme to subsidise payments will be means tested and not come until September 2017
Pensions
STATE pension is to rise by € 5 per week
Social Welfare
Payments to those over 26 by 5 euro a week from MAY – NOTE those under 26 will get smaller increases ranging from 2.70 to 3.80, depending on age
Christmas bonus to welfare recipients will be at 85% of weekly payment this year – Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe explains why:
Gardai
800 new gardai to be hired and trained in 2017 – additional 500 civilian staff to be hired
Minister Paschal Donohoe says there will be an new round of Sports Capital Grants in 2017
Capital Spending
Capital budget across all departments will go up by 400 million to 4.5 billion euro
Public Pay
The Public Expenditure Minister has addressed the thorny issue of public pay.
Amid several ongoing salary disputes, Pascal Donohoe promised 290 million euro for increases across the public sector – under the Lansdowne Road Pay Agreement
Minister Donohoe says it’s crucial that wages are kept in check:
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