Lorraine Higgins: Opportunity lost despite some benefit for retail

Budget 2019 does a little for a lot, but the opportunity has been lost to deliver adequate targeted supports for the largest private industry employer in Ireland — retail.

The reduction in the USC, the increase in tax bands, the increase in welfare payments, and the restoration of the Christmas bonus represents an ambitious plan to put money back in peoples’ pockets and get them spending again. This is no bad thing, as it will lead to increased consumer spending, but where it will go is crucial.