Budget 2021: €17bn splurge to combat Covid and Brexit perfect storm

The Government will allow people on the PUP, including self-employed people, earn up to €480 a month in freelance work while keeping their full payment.

The Government will today announce the largest ever budget day spending giveaway of €17bn to combat the perfect storm of the Covid-19 pandemic and the threat of a no-trade deal Brexit.

The Irish Examiner can reveal that, in addition to €8.5bn in Covid-related spending for 2021, new spending measures in excess of €5bn will be announced by Paschal Donohoe the finance minister, and Minister Michael McGrath the public expenditure minister.