With one day to go until Budget 2015 is unveiled in full – there are more hints today about efforts to ease the impact of water charges.
A new relief package is being prepared which will see a water-related tax credit for low income earners, as well as changes in the rules that will see more people qualify for welfare payments that offset the new charges.
It's said to have been agreed before Saturday's mass protests in Dublin city centre where tens of thousands of people called for water charges to be scrapped.
According to the Irish Times, low and middle income earners will also see a cut in their rate of Universal Social Charge.
The Environment Minister Alan Kelly has already confirmed that social housing needs will dominate the plans, however the Taoiseach has cautioned it won't be a “blank cheque”.
The initial aim to bring in another €2 billion in spending cuts and tax hikes has been scrapped, despite a warning from the Government's own advisors.
