The Government has agreed in principle to invest the €14bn Apple tax revenue in housing, roads and water infrastructure.
The Coalition leaders and finances ministers met on Tuesday to discuss the Budget and agreed the windfall from the European Court of Justice ruling should be spent on State infrastructure.
The decision came before Opposition TDs used a Dáil debate on the Apple ruling to criticise the Government for spending €10m of taxpayers’ money fighting the decision.
At a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Taoiseach Simon Harris told colleagues the “principles and parameters” on how the Government will spend the €14bn will be set out on Budget Day.
Mr Harris said it was “completely wrong” for people to suggest the windfall could have been collected by the State before last week’s court ruling
The Fine Gael leader said the funds will be spent on “infrastructure and investments which can improve our future”.
Mr Harris said he had a productive meeting with the Coalition leaders along with Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe which set out how the budget will comprise of €1.8bn in additional expenditure and a €1.4bn tax package.
He said this year’s tax package will follow the same path as last year’s which saw the entry point to the top level of tax increase along with cuts to the USC.
He also confirmed the cost of living package, which will include lump sum payments of social welfare and education supports, will be paid before Christmas.
The Taoiseach also said there will be a major infrastructure package to tackle housing demands and water supply restraints.
On investment into disability services, the Taoiseach said the impact of taxpayer’s money provided to services needs to be measured to ensure there is a proper benefit.
TDs and senators raised issues around housing, childcare, school transport, road infrastructure, healthcare issues, farming, nitrates, special education, the 9pc VAT rate for the hospitality industry and hotel prices.
