Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on budget 2023, which was a package of €11 billion. The core budget of 2023 of €6.9 billion was made up of €5.8 billion in expenditure measures, much of which we have been hearing about in the past few moments, and €1.1 billion in tax measures. Given the urgency of the challenge that we face, €4.1 billion of the overall package will be once-off measures to help people this year. The Government is not borrowing any money to fund this budget. These new measures are only possible due to the strong growth and tax receipts experienced in our economy, and our sound management of the economy since this Government was formed. Budget 2023's strategy puts people and their quality of life first.

I will now give an indication of some of the key measures we have put in place. There will be a broad range of measures to support households on low and middle incomes. The Government is providing for electricity credits for all households totalling €600, to be paid in three instalments of €200 each. The first payment will be made in November and a further two instalments in the new year. A €400 lump sum payment to all households receiving the fuel allowance will be paid in November. There will be across-the-board welfare increases in weekly payments of €12 from January.

A double week once-off payment for social welfare recipients will be given before Christmas and there will be a once-off payment before Christmas of €200 to the recipients of the living alone allowance. For example, older people living on their own will get an additional €2,375 from a combination of the above measures between now and the end of next year as a result of yesterday's announcement.

There will be a reduction of up to 25% in the weekly fees for childcare costs. This will put €175 a month, or €2,000 per year back into the pockets of parents next year. In November we will also make a double child benefit payment, which is worth €140 per child, in addition to the normal monthly payment.

To support low-income households, we are providing an additional lump sum payment of €500 to those in receipt of the working family payment, formerly known as family income supplement. This will take place in November.

Budget 2023 will see funding for free school books for all pupils of primary school from September of next year. This will reduce the back-to-school costs for parents nationwide.

There is also large income tax package in the budget which means married couples each on €30,000 would save a combined total of €532 next year.

Renters will be able to avail of two tax credits in 2023. The new rent tax credit, valued at €500 per year, is for every person renting. The measure is aimed at those who do not get any other housing supports, and will apply in 2023 and subsequent years. The Government is providing that it can also be claimed in respect of rent paid in 2022.

The Government has prioritised education. There will be a reduction in the staffing schedules by one point in all primary schools, which will bring it to the lowest level in our history. This will necessitate the employment of 370 additional new teachers, which is being funded in this budget. Budget 2023 will also deliver 686 special education teachers and an additional 1,994 special needs assistants, SNAs coming on stream in 2023. For the first time ever, we will have more than 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and 20,000 special education needs assistants.

To support students and their families there will be a once-off reduction in the student contribution of €1,000 for eligible students in the 2022-23 educational year, and a once-off double of monthly payment for those in receipt of the SUSI maintenance grant. There will also be a €1,000 increase in the postgraduate tuition fee contribution grant.

The Government is extending the 20% public transport fare reduction and the youth travel card discount of 50% to all operators in 2023. There are additional payments of €500 to carers. The Government is introducing a temporary business energy support scheme to assist businesses with their energy costs over the coming months. If there is an increase in the average unit price of more than 50%, the business will be able access this scheme. The support will be calculated on the basis of 40% of the amount of the increase in the bill amount, based on the unit cost. The details will be in the Finance Bill.

We will also introduce a windfall gains tax here in Ireland, if the European Union does not do so. I am pleased to see that we have reduced or eliminated the VAT on defibrillators and newspapers. Overall, this cost-of-living budget provides much needed support in the final months of this year for all citizens in Ireland, and into next year as well.

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