Foley to demand more funding for school building and expansion of free books scheme 

One Government source said that there is 'enormous demand' for new school buildings, citing the need for either entirely new buildings or specialised classrooms for children with special needs.

Further funding for school building and the expansion of the free books scheme to Leaving Cert students are on the cards for the upcoming pre-election Budget.

Education Minister Norma Foley is to press Government officials for the final expansion of the schoolbooks scheme. It was rolled out to junior cycle students as part of the previous budget.

Government sources have indicated that the expansion into fifth and sixth year could be marginally cheaper than the previous expansion as only two years’ worth of books are required rather than three as in the junior cycle.

It is estimated that the final cost of the expansion could set the Exchequer back up to €43m a year, whereas it cost €68m to deliver free books for junior cycle.

Ms Foley is also expected to push for additional capital funding in the budget, to expand school building and refurbishment projects across the country.

One Government source said that there is “enormous demand” for new school buildings, citing the need for either entirely new buildings or specialised classrooms for children with special needs.

Renters tax credit

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is expected to push Finance Minister Jack Chambers to increase the renters tax credit up to €1,000 a year, beyond the current €750 available to tenants.

It is understood that Mr O’Brien will also require additional capital funding to be allocated to the Housing For All plans, due to the proposed target increase that will be unveiled in October.

While these targets will not be announced until after the budget, it is understood that they will form part of the overall consideration for October’s package.

Further capital funding to the Department of Housing will also be required to deliver the Shannon Water Scheme, which will boost water supplies to the greater Dublin area.

Childcare

Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman is said to be pushing for an increase in the core funding for childcare providers, following cuts to the overall cost of childcare in recent years.

It comes after concerns were raised by childcare provider representatives that the current level of core funding is too low, with worries that it could see providers pull out of the system and hike fees for parents.

Last week, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys strongly hinted that the Government will reintroduce the “extremely popular” double child benefit payment that was made last December.

“The Taoiseach would love to get the double [child benefit] payment,” one Government source said.

Ms Humphreys indicated on Thursday that there is no “policy rationale” for increasing welfare rates for the long-term unemployed, while saying that she planned to focus in on pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

It is expected that pensioners will get a significant increase in their pension in October’s budget.

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There is also a suite of tax measures expected to be unveiled by Finance Minister Jack Chambers in the upcoming budget, including further reductions in income tax.

These reductions will be achieved by increasing the higher rate threshold, alongside changes to the USC to help low-income workers.

Moves are also due to be made on inheritance tax, with Mr Chambers labelling the levy as a “significant imposition” on many families.

The Government is also expected to retain the 9% Vat rate on both gas and electricity over the winter, as part of cost of living measures on energy.

A new tax on both vapes and e-cigarettes is also in the offing, with it currently being designed by Revenue officials.