Fionnán Sheahan: Tax credits, school books, creche grants – Budget 2025 to be mother of all giveaways

Michael McGrath out early, as Simon Harris makes Fianna Fáil ‘jumpy’ First €20,000 of wages to be income-tax free Free school books all the way up to Leaving Cert Grants for creches to expand and stay open

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has one more budget to prepare before the next general election. Photo: Collins

Fionnán Sheahan

Before taking or turning down a flight to Brussels to become European Commissioner, Finance Minister Michael McGrath has a final budget to prepare.

Budget 2025 is the last chance for the Coalition parties to move the dial ahead of a general election. And it’s already shaping up to be the mother of all bumper giveaways, not least with the added edge of new Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris wanting to put his own stamp on proceedings.