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Thursday 30 March 2023 Dublin: 14°C

# Michael McGrath

Last month
March 2023
# Silicon Valley Bank
Irish Financial Stability Group to monitor effects of SVB collapse on Ireland
The bank had a significant number of Irish businesses among its clients but retail banks in Ireland have no exposure to SVB.
# CSO figures
Domestic economy entered 'technical recession' last year but is still up 8.2%
Despite entering a technical recession, the domestic economy grew by 8.2% using the government’s preferred metric.
This year
2023
# Cost of Living
Taoiseach says windfall tax 'well advanced' and will be used to help families and businesses
A number of existing supports are due to expire at the end of the month.
# Public Debt
Ireland has one of the highest per capita debt burdens in the world, around €44,250 per citizen
The burden of public debt for each person in Ireland was around €8,000 higher than the euro area average in 2022.
# Davos
Taoiseach says some billionaires are all 'fur coat and no knickers'
Varadkar will be in Davos for three days this week.
# Cost of Living
Rate of inflation drops slightly to 8.2% in the year to December
That’s down from an increase of 8.9% in the 12 months to November 2022.
# sipo's teeth
Long overdue ethics laws to keep politicians in check can't be delayed, say opposition
Minister Michael McGrath says very many of Sipo’s asks will be included in legislation reforms.
# Inflation
Michael McGrath says that Ireland’s rate of inflation has peaked
‘Inflation has actually peaked and is now on a downward trajectory,’ Minister Michael McGrath said.
Last year
2022
# no phones allowed
Government ministers to be banned from using phones at Cabinet meetings from today
The Minister for Finance confirmed the ban this morning,
# Landlords
Housing minister: 'I'll be frank, we've got to revisit the tax treatment for small landlords'
In an interview with The Journal, the housing minister said tax measures is one way to keep landlords in the market.
In an interview with The Journal, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said the tax treatment of landlords is something the government will discuss further.
Small landlords are continuing to leave the market, said the minister.
Pressure will be put on local authorities to ramp up their delivery of homes next year.
Dublin property price ceilings under First Home Scheme to increase to €475,000
Government criticised over €700 million capital underspend in housing budget
# Executive Decisions
Cabinet approves international surrogacy policy proposals with aim of giving 100s of families a 'route to recognition'
A busy Cabinet session also saw Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien bring draft laws to overhaul Ireland’s planning system.
# Leaders' Questions
Government criticised over €700 million capital underspend in housing budget
The Dáil heard that local authorities currently have 2,000 homes under construction on various sites.
# Eurogroup
McGrath 'strongly supports' Donohoe's bid for second term as Eurogroup President
Paschal Donohoe was nominated by the Government for a second term earlier this month.
# Paschal Donohoe
Eurozone finance ministers to vote for new Eurogroup President next month
Paschal Donohoe is currently seeking a second term as President of the Eurogroup.
# Eurogroup
Government to nominate Paschal Donohoe for second term as President of the Eurogroup
The proposal would see Michael McGrath represent Ireland at the Eurogroup as Finance Minister.
# Interest Rates
Expected interest rate hike may help 'contain' house prices, says Varadkar
The ECB’s 25-member governing council is likely to lift its key interest rates by 75 points for the second consecutive time.
# energy costs
‘No reason’ why anyone in financial hardship should lose power this winter, McGrath says
Minister Michael McGrath told the Dáil ‘sufficient supports’ are in place to protect people.
# budget 2023
Ministers announce payment dates for social protection supports introduced in Budget
A double social welfare payment will be paid next week while a double Child Benefit payment will be paid at the start of next month.
# Cost of Living
'Our citizens need help': Everything you need to know about Budget 2023
The Government has confirmed a range of measures including tax band changes, electricity credits and social welfare increases.
# budget 2023
Childcare: Reduction of up to 25% announced in costs under National Childcare Scheme
It will cost €121 million and save families up to €175 a month.
# Cabinet Reshuffle
Donohoe refuses to be drawn on Eurogroup issue but his party leader hopes he can keep the role
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath is expected to take over the finance ministry in December.
# rotating jobs
Taoiseach expects Michael McGrath to take up finance minister job following reshuffle
Parity of esteem between parties is central to the cohesion in Government, says Taoiseach.
# inflation crisis
'Situation has deteriorated': Protecting businesses and jobs top priority, says McGrath
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar met 40 business representatives for a pre-budget meeting yesterday.
# december reshuffle
Will FF and FG rotate the finance ministry? Coalition partners to discuss matter amid tensions
Although not part of the published rotation deal, it is understood that Fianna Fáil expects the finance ministry to rotate to them.
# pay talks
Public sector pay talks resume as 1% improvement in govt offer floated
Previous talks in June ended without an agreement between ICTU and the Government.
# Metrolink
Eamon Ryan: 'Utmost commitment' to deliver MetroLink following 8,000 submissions from public
Construction on the project is forecasted to begin in 2025, with it set to be completed in the early 2030s.
# cost of living crisis
Budget aims to help 'most vulnerable' and the 'squeezed middle', says McGrath
Cabinet could decide next week to bring the Budget forward to the end of September.
# Commission on Defence
Row between two government departments over cost of ramping up Ireland's Defence spending
Simon Coveney was due to deliver an action plan on defence to Cabinet in June.
# budget 2023
Government teases new tax bracket for middle-income earners
Fine Gael Ministers have shown support for a proposed 30% tax band.
# Cost of Living
Contact Department of Social Protection if you're struggling with bills, says McGrath
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said the government cannot counter every increase in people’s expenditure.
# rising inflation
Public service pay talks are now officially underway
The talks will be facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission from next week.
# Cabinet
Cabinet approves two-year lease on Citywest Hotel to accommodate Ukrainian refugees
The hotel and conference centre currently accommodates about 2,300 people fleeing the war.
# Ukraine
Decision on €400 payment to households who host Ukrainian refugees to be made 'shortly'
Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath says work is continuing across a number of departments.
# rising costs
Govt to pay up to 70% of inflation-related construction costs on State projects
The minister says there is a real risk of projects not being completed if the State didn’t step in.
# rising inflation
McGrath gives the green light to exploratory talks on public service pay
The talks will centre around the pay for 350,000 people who work in the public sector.
# Exchequer Returns
State's deficit drops by over €6 billion following conclusion of Covid-19 measures
An Exchequer deficit of €1.1 billion was recorded at the end of April, compared with a deficit of €7.6 billion in the same period last year.
# nuclear strike
Taoiseach calls Russia 'sinister' after video shows mock-up of nuclear attack on Ireland
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that it represented a mindset that was “out of touch with reality”.
# Housing
New Cabinet committee on Ukrainian crisis as TD makes 'strong call' for holiday homes to be used for refugees
Taoiseach Micheá Martin said that he had met with Ukrainian refugees over the weekend.
# Cork
Government minister and public representatives met with garda management about Cork resources
Michael McGrath and other elected representatives have met with senior garda management about the policing service in Cork.
# working from home
Plan for 'major shift’ on remote working for civil servants launched by government
Most civil servants will now be able to work remotely at least some of the time.