Cost Of Living Supports Expected To Lean Towards Lower Income Families

Friday, 17 February 2023 11:33

By Caoimhe Harney

Reports suggest that the 9% VAT rate for hospitality will not make the cut

The Government's next cost-of-living support package will be tilted towards lower income families, with the 9 percent hospitality VAT rate being axed.

It's expected that it will include a host of targeted and universal interventions to help people with rising bills.

The Government has four days until its own deadline to sign off on the next cost-of-living supports package.

Coalition leaders and senior ministers met yesterday to discuss which measures will end and which will be extended.

The current package expires on February 28th, but Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he will reveal all following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

However, reports this morning suggest that the 9% VAT rate for hospitality will not make the cut, in what will be a major blow to the sector.

The reduction in excise on fuel is also due to expire, which could see prices at the pump rise once again.

An extra €200 energy credit is one of the measures being considered, but the Greens argue that any more universal supports should be delayed until later in the year.

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan is in Tullamore today launching enhanced bus services that'll be rolled out nationwide.

He'll no doubt be questioned on what's going to stay and what's going to go come Tuesday.

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