Fianna Fáil wins classroom promise in late talks

Fianna Fáil last night secured a 26-pupil class size limit and “modest” across- the-board welfare hikes for pensioners, lone parents, and dole recipients in last- minute talks with Fine Gael.

However, while the welfare packages will be introduced at the same time in mid-spring, separate fuel allowance, and other increases may not be implemented until later next year in order to ensure money can be spread to various groups.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Fianna Fáil’s public expenditure spokesman, Dara Calleary, agreed the moves last night as the final battles of budget 2018 were fought out.