Inspite of Ireland having one of the highest debts per capita, estimated at €239 billion at the end of March, 2022, and possibly more, yesterday’s budget was a pledge to spend billions of euros.
The 2023 budget pledges €130 million to the arts council, €30 million in additional funding for tourism, including overseas advertising, €8.5 million towards supporting the Irish language and gaeltacht. €7.3 million for TG4, some of which will be used to launch Cùla4, a children’s channel. €6 million to support national and local journalism. €15 million to public service broadcasting, €8 million to sport and a €60 million fund to help sports clubs, the arts sector and gaeltacht facilities towards energy bills. Reportedly, there will be three seperate electriciity credit payments amounting to €600 for all households, and recipients of the national childcare scheme will save up to €175 per month.
With regard to housing, the 2023 budget doubles the amount of pre letting expenses that can be claimed by landlords to €10,000 per premises and there is a €500 tax credit for renters, but a levy on concrete products to the sum of €80 million will not help provide new housing.