Irish budget: Government to increase public spending by almost 7%

The Irish government says it will increase spending on public services by almost 7% in its pre-election budget.

In 2021 the government set a rule which said that public spending should grow by no more than 5% a year.

It says it will break that rule partially because the population of the Irish Republic has grown faster than anticipated.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers said: “There remains the continuing need to improve public services and infrastructure, particularly in the context of a growing population and economy.

“The government has adapted its fiscal strategy to take account of this, to support the continued delivery of better healthcare services as well as accommodate higher capital spending.”

The details are contained in the Summer Economic Statement which sets out the parameters for October’s budget.

It will be the last budget before the election, which must be held before the end of March.