TO KEEP US GLUED TO SPEECH
the current cost of living crisis.
However, while punters will be able to enjoy a pint for the same price this week, if they go out for a smoke it will cost them more as the tax on fags is set to be hiked up again, by an expected 50c a pack.
There will be no added pain for motorists as the taxes on fuel will not go up, with cuts on excise introduced last April set to continue past February, at least.
Workers will see more money in their pockets through an adjustment in tax bands that will see people enter the higher 40 per cent rate on a higher rate.
It is currently €36,800 and is set to be raised to €40,000.
Meanwhile, small businesses will see up to 40 per cent of their energy bills paid for under a new €1bn scheme capped at €10,000 per month per firm and running until at least next February.
Commuters will continue to enjoy cutprice fares on public transport, with the 20 per cent slashed rate set to continue.
In health, the free
GP care scheme will see another 400,000 children included, an expansion of the promise to bring all six and respectively.
Further down in the betting are ‘Pink’ (14/1) and ‘Orange’ (25/1) while ‘White’ props up the betting at 50/1.
Last year the Central Dublin TD went the entirety of his speech
Fares
seven-year-olds under the umbrella.
This will see nearly half of the children in the State covered under the universal scheme.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys secured two bumper pay weeks worth €1,000 in total at Halloween and Christmas for pensioners.
The package will cost €600m and is on top of the €12 a week hike.
Another win for Minister Humphreys was getting a €500 cost of living allowance payment without a single sip of water and it’s 4/6 for him not to quench his thirst again this year while it’s 10/3 for him to have three or more sips tomorrow afternoon.
Paddy Power are also taking bets on the length of the speech. for carers, poorer working families and the disabled.
Meanwhile, 430,000 more people will become eligible for free GP care next year under plans drawn up by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
This is on top of hospital fees for all under 16s being abolished.
However, one of the losers will be the hospitality sector, with the special reduced VAT rate to go back up to 13.5 per cent after February.
The Taoiseach said last night: “We are living in very uncertain and difficult times and tomorrow the Government wants to support families.”
It’s 2/1 to be under 40 mins, 4/7 to be between 40 and 50 minutes and 6/1 to breach the 50 minute mark.
Finally, it’s 6/4 for Donohoe to ‘Pull a Leo’ and quote song lyrics over the course of his speech.”