The government is to provide free GP care to the under 5’s as part of a package of measures targeting families with young children.
Cabinet ministers met last night to sign off on the final budget which will include cuts and tax increases totalling €2.5bn.
The government has agreed to give the parents of nearly a quarter of a million children a new universal GP only medical card. The initiative will cost them 40 million euro.
It will be balanced by toughening up on the income thresholds on medical cards for the over 70’s which will result in some card holders losing out.
Pensioners will also be affected by a cut in the telephone allowance.
A new reduced dole pavement for those aged under 27 is on the cards.
The government also agreed last night not to cut child benefit and to protect the the pupil teacher ratio.
Meanwhile, it’s feared a hike in VAT in tomorrow’s Budget could lead to a setback for Clare’s employment figures.
The hospitality and tourism sectors have been calling for the sector’s lower 9% Vat rate to be maintained but, reports today say it will be raised on a gradual basis.
Ennis Town Council has heard claims that if the rate returns to the standard 13.5%, this will undo much of the employment recovery seen over the past year.
