As a consequence of today's announcement, the health budget will have increased to €8.9 billion, education spending will have risen by €2.5 billion to €5.6 billion, social welfare spending will have increased by €4.5 billion to €10.2 billion and spending on infrastructure will have increased by €2 billion to €5.6 billion. Infrastructure received another welcome boost in today's budget with the announcement that major new projects will be allowed to commence from next year.