A lot changed between Budget 2022 and Budget 2023, geo-politically, in relation to energy supply as well as from a broader economic perspective.

Twelve months ago, the budget focus was on supporting the country out of the pandemic. Business was starting to rebound and expectations were that “normal” fiscal policies would resume.

What a difference 12 months makes. In that time, the Irish Country Living team have written a series of investigative articles. It was good to see some of these issues addressed to some degree in Budget 2023. However, there are stings in the tail that need to be managed carefully by Government.

Childcare

Ciara wrote extensively on childcare during the summer. In her reader survey in June, 56% of respondents said they used crèche facilities, with 37% saying costs had increased in the last two years. While a financial subvention for crèche costs secured by Minister Roderick O’Gorman will save families around €175 a month, the sting is in the inequity that could arise.

Our survey also revealed that 44% of respondents used other forms of childcare (childminder, family, au pair etc). They will not benefit as the scheme is only available to childcare providers who are part of the National Childcare Scheme. Fewer than 80 private childminders are thought to be registered with the scheme. That said, all parents will benefit from the free school books initiative. However this could impact negatively on small bookshops that rely on schoolbooks to bring people into their stores.

Energy

Janine carries the reaction of advocacy groups to the energy elements of the budget (P17-18). She also spoke with IFA farm business committee chair Rose Mary McDonagh, who expressed concern for farm families in relation to the cost of living crisis but also the Zoned Residential Land Tax (ZRLT) (introduced in Budget 2022).

The primary aim of the tax, is to incentivise landowners to activate existing planning permissions for housing, or to engage with planning authorities and seek planning permission on land which is suitably zoned and appropriately serviced.

Positive in terms of the housing crisis perhaps, but McDonagh said the IFA has always lobbied that farmed land should be excluded from the scope of the tax.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said all affected will have the opportunity to appeal their inclusion from November. McDonagh is advising all farmers close to towns/villages to check their county development plans to see if they are in scope and lodge an appeal if necessary. Agri solicitor Aisling Meehan addresses a reader query here.

Health

This week is the final part of Margaret’s rural health series. With recruitment and retention of GPs causing delays in patients accessing treatment, she asked the doctors how this budget – that will extend the GP card to 430,000 people – is being received.

Also on health, last February, Ciara wrote about Cariban, the drug used to treat women with extreme nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. This research showed women were paying up to €280/month as Cariban was not covered under the Drugs Payment Scheme. Budget 2023 sets out funding to facilitate reimbursement of the drug.

Other positive female specific budgetary measures include enhanced access to IVF treatments, the extension of free contraception to women aged 16-30 and VAT will no longer be charged on HRT or period products.

All good news (but here is the sting) if you can get a doctor.