Budget 2023: Can Government plan for a rainy day ahead while people get soaked now?

Ballooning energy costs have created more of a demand for money to help those who will be hurt most, but Paschal Donohoe has said that keeping spending down has protected the country long term.

Does the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, throw absolutely everything at this crisis now and leave no room to absorb future shocks, or does he squirrel away a bit of money to help if prices rise again? Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

While the press releases accompanying the August Exchequer Returns were being signed off at the Department of Finance, news broke of yet another energy supplier upping its prices.

Bord Gáis Energy, this time, joining Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity and Prepay Power in jacking prices, with further rises already being flagged. From October 2, Bord Gáis will be increasing electricity bills by 34% (€48.25) and gas bills will jump by 39% (€43.80) per month.