Money: Irish Budget 2012 The Cuts So Far..Simpified!
Today, on budget day one, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin presented the Irish governments' plans to save 3.8bn - the fiscal adjustment needed for 2012.
This is the news so far...
The Public Service pay bill is to fall by €400m in 2012
Social Welfare payments remain unchanged
Child Benefit for first and second child remains unchanged
Changes to One-Parent Family Payment will save 20.7m
Jobseekers Benefit to be based on 5 day week
Back to school clothing allowance ended for 2/3 year olds
Extra charges on private treatment in public hospitals
Drug payment scheme monthly threshold up from €120 to €132
2% cut in Disability, Mental Health and Childrens Services
132.3% savings in Education
2% cut in Higher Education Funding
€250 increase in Third Level Student Contribution
Primary school transport charge to be doubled to €100
€19.2m in cuts to trainee and apprenticeship schemes
Reduced allowances and secretarial supports for former Taoisigh
Staff ceiling reduced of 103,800 employees to apply to HSE in 2012
€52.9m to reduction in Overseas Development Aid
€79m cut in the Garda Siochana
Overall Savings of €105m in Dept of Agriculture, Marine, Food
Overall Savings of €45m in Dept of Transport, Tourism, Sport
Overall Savings of €34m in Environment, Community, Local Govt