Kieran Coughlan: Budget scraps for farmers or a real change of policy?

It’s clear it won’t be a giveaway budget in respect of any noticeable difference that will be felt in the payslips or yearly tax return

For farmers, the three biggest inputs are feed, fertiliser and fuel.

Helping farmers is less about the scraps thrown out at budget time and more about the overall policy. With just days to go, the Department of Finance will be considering options ahead of this year's budget. 

The Government parties have already framed the pot as being about €1bn in tax measures and about €5bn in spending measures.