Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Government today delivered the largest budget in the history of the state in response to a historic cost of living crisis.
An 11 billion euro package will be split between new measures and once off payments worth hundreds of euro.
Renter tax credits, electricity payments and a record social welfare spend will be delivered over the coming months.
It's arguably the most significant budget spend in a decade and will put thousands of euro back in some pockets.
Those earning 40,000 euro or more will get 800 euro a year back in income tax, with Paschal Donohoe indicating a third rate of income tax may be considered next year.
There will be a 1,000 euro cut in student fees along with increases in the student grant
Social welfare payments will increase across the board by 12 euro a week, along with large once off payments for carers, people with a disability and people on the fuel allowance
The carbon tax will rise but there will be no increase on petrol and diesel as the cost is being offset.
A pack of 20 cigarettes will be up by 50c but alcohol has been left alone
Indeed there will be new tax breaks for small cider producers and a halving of the late night licencing fee.
There will be a new tax on concrete blocks to part fund the mica redress scheme, while no windfall tax on energy companies was announced with the Government waiting on EU plans.
It's a budget that is going to put between 600 and several thousand euro back in many peoples pockets, but only time will tell if it will be enough to get through the long winter to come.
Despite the record figures opposition parties have been finding holes in the plan.
There's been criticism of the social welfare budget - with some TDs saying while once off payments are welcome they do nothing to end long term poverty.
Sinn Féin saying the 500 euro renters tax credit isn't nearly enough.
The main opposition party also saying the 1,000 euro cut in student fees shouldn't be just for one year.
While the Social Democrats say the 25 per cent cut in childcare should be higher.
Labour's Duncan Smith warned today marks the return of Bertienomics to the Dáil.
And while it is the biggest giveaway budget since the Celtic Tiger, already there have been calls for more - with Labour saying a mini-budget will be needed further into the winter.
