Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the measures contained in Budget 2015 which were announced this week which he said will continue the progress in the recovery in the economy which has been led by the creation of employment. Patrick O’Donovan said that since the Government came to office over 76,000 new jobs have been created and the measures in the Budget will see that figure grow further.
The Limerick TD welcomed particular elements of the Budget which he said would benefit working families and low and middle income families. Changes to Universal Social Charge and Income Tax will see the top 1% of income earners paying over 20% of all income tax. In his Budget the Minister for Finance announced the ending of the 0.6% Pension Levy in 2014 and the 0.15% Pension Levy in 2015. On the spending side Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the Social Protection measures which included the increase in child benefit, the partial return of the Christmas Bonus and increases to the living alone allowance.
“As a result of the measures taking in Budget 2015 we are now in a position to see improvements in our public services. In the Justice area an extra 200 Gardaí will be recruited and 400 new Garda cars will be provided. In Education 920 extra mainstream teachers, 480 resource teachers and 365 special needs assistants will be recruited and our schools will be further improved with the allocation of over €500million in school buildings. Recruitment to the civil service will now resume with the ending of the embargo on recruitment.
Patrick O’Donovan also welcomed measures in the budget targeted at specific areas in the economy. He said that the retention of the 9% rate on VAT together with no increase in excise duties would benefit the hospitality industry which has seen over 1,000 extra new jobs in Limerick. He said that the €2.2billion announced for the construction of houses would generate hundreds of jobs in the construction sector and would be a major boost to those on the housing waiting list.
In Agriculture the Minister for Finance announced a number of measures aimed at land transfers in advance of the abolition of quotas and said that the budget will see an increase in the Department of Agriculture budget to over €1billion. Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the announcement to fund the Commission for Economic Development in Rural Areas which acknowledges the difficulties in rural areas, but he said Agriculture continues to be our biggest indigenous industry employing 170,000 and worth over €26billion.
Patrick O’Donovan said “This Budget is an important step in our national recovery and recognises the sacrifices of individuals and families over a number of years. The Recovery will only continue when more jobs are created and as more jobs are created we will have further scope to make improvements to the lives of people all across the country.