Tax cuts, grants and loans to help businesses and consumers

Vat cuts, business loans and the suspension of rates are all designed to help businesses hit by the pandemic. File Picture.

There are few surprises in the €7.4bn stimulus plan, but there was one curveball, for certain.

The government has cut the flat rate of Vat from 23% to 21% across the board for six months at a cost of €440m - a move sure to gladden the hearts of consumers and the businesses they spend with.