Budget 2023

Budget 2023: Can the government ease the burdens of a nation?

With inflation running at 9 per cent and energy companies hiking charges, many families and businesses are fearful of receiving bills they simply cannot pay. Will the budget take at least some of the sting out of what looks like being a long, cold winter?

Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath: the Finance and Public Expenditure ministers have opted to increase spending by just €2.2 billion, which could put a serious squeeze on delivering services next year. Picture: RollingNews

A procession of ministers have been making their way into the Merrion Street office of minister Michael McGrath over the last two weeks. The Minister for Public Expenditure has responsibility for the spending side of Budget 2023, so it is he, and not Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Finance, who takes the majority of the one-to-one meetings.

Last Wednesday, he met with Helen McEntee, the Minister for Justice, and Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, ...