Budget 2015 live blog with the anglocelt

With the details of long-awaited Budget 2015 to be announced at around 2.30pm this afternoon, The Anglo-Celt will be conducting a live blog of the measures as they are announced.

Already today the Cabinet has met to discuss the Budget in Leinster House, with earliest indications from Ministers this morning that there will be an easing of austerity.

Some of the headline predictions from earlier today are that Child Benefit is set to rise by up to €5 a month per child; the Universal Social Charge entry point increases to €12,000 and the 41% tax rate drops by 1%.

Elsewhere, the Social housing budget is set to increase by €230m, and the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality is set to remain following heavy lobbying by representatives in the tourism industry.

A large majority of pensioners will also be handed an extra €100 to help cover the soon to be introduced cost of water charges.

To follow our Live coverage of Budget 2015, scroll to the bottom of the page from 2.30pm and join the conversation.