Budget bonanza targets health and childcare

A GIVEAWAY Budget targeting hospitals, schools and parents will be signalled today when the Government publishes its spending estimates for the year ahead.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen is believed to be sitting on a €3 billion windfall which he will use as a vote-winning war chest.

The Estimates are expected to provide for some €48bn spending across all Government departments in 2006, up from €43.6bn this year. With money pouring into the coffers of the Finance Department from record levels of VAT returns, stamp duty and excise levies, Mr Cowen is set to seize the political initiative on childcare in the December 7 Budget.