The Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is about to take to his feet in the Dáil to outline Budget 2021.
It will be the biggest budget in the history of the state as the government borrows millions to meet the cost of COVID and Brexit.
The hospitality sector in Clare will be keeping a keen eye on whether supports promised for the industry come to fruition this lunchtime.
The Government says Budget 2021 aims to give hope and confidence to people during the pandemic.
A multi-billion euro fund is set to be announced this afternoon to help businesses, which have been forced to shut because of the crisis.
Health is to get an extra 4 billion euro while there’s set to be a large investment in social housing.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says the measures aim to give assurances to people.
The reality is that despite this being the largest budget in the history of the state, it won’t produce a massive change for most people.
Income tax rates are not going to change either up or down, but 7.50 euro per tonne increases to carbon taxes will hit drivers.
Filling a tank of diesel will cost about 1.50 more, a tank of petrol 1.30.
There will be 90c extra on a bag of coal, 20c on a bale of briquettes, and home heating oil is set to increase.
This will be offset for the most vulnerable by increases in the living alone allowance and the fuel allowance.
Changes to VRT will make buying a polluting car more expensive, and changes to motor tax will mean those with older or more polluting cars will end up paying somewhere between 10 and 50 euro more a year.
90% of people will not be impacted by the motor tax changes.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan is confident this will be a ‘green’ budget.
The cost of a packet of cigarettes could increase by up to 50 cent while it’s believed alcohol will remain untouched.
A cut in the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality to 9% is also expected, a move which will be keenly watched by those within the sector.
However, they say more supports are also needed, as businesses that are closed won’t benefit.
Dermot Fetton is from Henry’s Bistro & Wine Bar in Ennis:
