The good, the bad, and the ugly

GOOD BUDGET

Tax cuts for workers Low and middle income workers will get a modest boost from a rise in the entry point for the higher rate of income tax. There’s been a .5pc cut in the USC rate for those earning between €19,874 and €70,044.

Older people

A €5-a-week increase in the State pension to kick in from March. There’s a 50c reduction in prescription charges for over 70s.

Parents

More families will be able to avail of increased subsidies for childcare. There will be an extra two weeks of paid parental leave from November 2019.

Motorists and those who like a tipple...

No excise duty rise on beer, wine and spirits. Much-vaunted petrol and diesel hikes never transpired.

BAD BUDGET

Hotels and Restaurants The tourism industry has been hit with a 50pc hike in VAT, restoring it to 13.5pc rate.

This is the same level it was at before a reduction due to the economic crisis. Hairdressers and cinemas are also affected, but newspapers stay at

9pc.

Independent Alliance They didn’t get a ‘Granny Grant’ for childcare, the VAT hike has led to a call for tourism Minister Shane Ross’s resignation, and their ‘Granny Flat Grant’ appears to be a reheated existing policy.

The environment Despite this week’s dire warnings on global warming, and the need for drastic action by 2030, there’s been no carbon tax increase this year.

Smokers

Smokers were not as lucky as drinkers, seeing the cost of cigarettes rise again. It’s a 50c hike per pack.