How to win friends and influence people. Not.
Laydees and gennlemen I give you Brian Lenihan, Ireland’s Minister for Finance: tonight probably not the most popular man in Ireland.
Now you know I’m a bit blonde when it comes to financial matters, but here are the bits I understood. Briefly, Mr Lenihan’s budget today saw VAT rise to 21.5%, income tax increase by at least 1%, an increase of 8c on a litre of petrol and a whopping 50c (HOLY CRAP!) on every litre of wine and every pack of cigarettes (not that I care about the fags, natch). Motor tax rates are up by 4% (5% if your car is over 2.5L) and there are plenty of sneaky little cuts like Early Childcare Benefit ceasing at 5 1/2 instead of 6, and Child Benefit finishing when your child is 17 instead of 18. He’s also abolished the automatic right to free medical care for the over 70s and introduced a 1% income levy across the board which everyone has to pay, even if you are one of Ireland’s lowest earners. Finish that off with a nice €10 airport tax on every flight and I think that’s just about everyone he’s pissed off.
There was good news for Thrifty though, as there’s some sort of incentive for cycling to work, I think.
Oh, and if you’re thinking of self-harming now you’ve heard all that depressing news? Don’t. Not unless you can afford the €100 it’ll now cost you to attend A&E. Happy days.
And we thought we couldn’t get any poorer.
Just a quick question though – does Ireland not have universal health care, and how can they cut care to the elderly? I must have misunderstood. Here, our Supreme Court would throw that law out so far no one would ever see it again!
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A doberman.
Comfy saddle.
Decent wet-gear.
Crossbar mounted side-winder missiles.
Tannoy with automated “Oi scooter boy, get out of the sodding BICYCLE lane” message.
You know, the basics.
And EM, get a kit and make your own wine
@Baino: I like the SA Chenin Blanc meself.
The medical card thingy will hit the couple I care for HARD. Their meds cost hundreds per month and between this and that specialist for each of their many ailments, doctors fees will eat up their savings.
So much for a lifetime spent contributing to the economy! So lads, don’t save – spend, spend, spend and put your hand out when you hit your autumn years!
Filthy Bar Stewards… :I
Calls for a chorus of:
“Oh they’re all a shower of wankers in the Dail…”
Loved the Doberman joke.
Baino: I’m not really sure what the levy’s for – just to refill the coffers a bit I expect. But jaysus, there always used to be a certain amount low earners could bring in before tax. Not any more. It’s a pisser about the wine, though. Why don’t they tax beer and spirits as much, I wonder?
Cortes: As far as I understand it, there is a medical card for people on welfare and low incomes (?) which provides free health care, but everyone else has to pay. And the elderly now will have to be means tested to see if they qualify. This is, as Jen points out, terrible, because most elderly people have saved for their old age, only to find that they’re now penalised for being sensible and not sponging off the state in their old age
Deborah: I think that’s only because they were the only bits I understood!! Yep, RTE could call it a Blonde Guide to the Budget, maybe?! x
K8: Nice. Very nice.
Tara: Oh yes, and with the VAT increase, they’re bringing it in from 1st December so they can rape us all over Christmas too.
Thrifty: I like it. You could have it on your back in flashing LED. Oh and after the exploding elderflower champagne debacle I’ll steer clear of home brewing thanks!
Jen: Oh hun. I thought of them this morning. It’s just not fair when they’ve saved for their old age. I’d love to know what the criteria will be x
Wee One: I spoke to the guy in the petrol station this morning – he said that anyone who’s putting prices up already is a total rip off merchant as they shouldn’t be passing it on until they get newly-priced deliveries. Also, he said his petrol has just gone down by 4c so he’ll only be putting it up by 4c anyway. Be interesting to see the prices over the next few days. x
Towny: Me too – great joke. I know what you mean – you take your life in your hands every time you cycle – just ask Thriftypants! x
TM: LOL! I’ve sat him down and explained that under no circumstances is he to do anything remotely gung ho as we can’t afford to get him put back together!!
My mortgage has gone down about £30 a month too.
What I am saving there will be spent on the 25% increase in my Gas and Electric
And picking on the over 70′s – could he have sunk any lower? Disgraceful.
K8 – Doberman – bloody brilliant!!!!
Jenn: I know. I have #2 bubble-wrapped, don’t worry. Yes, and I hope he regrets the over 70s thing. Very, very low I agree.
Boys eh?