Time to learn from previous budget mistakes
Much progress has been made in regards to the state of Irish public finances, due in large part to the recovery in economic activity in recent times. Taxes are flowing under many headings as unemployment continues to inch downwards and there is a broad-based recovery.
Yet, many people are scarcely feeling a positive bounce in their discretionary spend. Though wages have been on the rise for most workers, by the time various costs are factored in, what is left at the end of each week or month is not what it was before the crash of 2008-2013. Even with modest cuts to income tax and USC in the last three budgets, disposable income is still hardly increasing for many as housing costs, insurance and transport costs outstrip increases in income.
