Department of the Environment Minister: Alan Kelly

The Minister for the Environment is seeking additional funding for the provision of housing. He is keen to introduce a raft of new measures aimed at solving the housing crisis. The proposals include a new grant system for developers to be compensated by the State in return for selling homes quickly, in large quantities and at below the market rate.

Kelly is also seeking support for his rent certainty proposals which would see residential rents linked to the consumer price index.

However, both of these initiatives have met resistance within the Department of Finance.

Department of Health

Minister: Leo Varadkar

Far from the €1.9 billion requested by the Health Service Executive, Leo Varadkar is requesting a more modest, but still significant, increase in the budget.

He wants additional funds to solve the escalating trolley crisis ahead of a busy few months in hospital emergency departments.

The department is to receive a €600 million supplementary estimate and needs €200 million every year to meet the demands of the ageing population.

Varadkar will be under pressure from his colleagues to ensure a realistic budgetary plan is put forward.

Department of Justice

Minister: Frances Fitzgerald

Frances Fitzgerald is seeking funds for the recruitment of more gardaí. It is thought she will be in a position to announce that she will be able to recruit 500 more gardaí. However, there are expectations of an announcement of to recruit 700.

Fitzgerald is also requesting more money to initiate recruitment across a variety of justice agencies, including the courts.

She is eager also to secure additional cash to begin a number of one-off special projects, including surveillance operations to deal with burglaries.

Department of Social Protection

Minister: Joan Burton

Tánaiste Joan Burton has already indicated a €5 increase in the child benefit payment.

She is expected to restore the respite care grant to €1,700 for 77,000 carers and to introduce two weeks of paternal leave.

There has been speculation about an increase in the fuel allowance.

Burton is also seeking increases in a range of other schemes. There is some speculation she will restore a cut in unemployment benefit for people under 26 years of age.

Department of Education

Minister: Jan O’Sullivan

Jan O’Sullivan said it was a personal priority to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio. It is widely expected she will be in a position to reduce it by one to 27:1.

She is also seeking more money for the extension of broadband in schools, as well as funds to initiate a number of small special projects.

Department of Agriculture

Minister: Simon Coveney

The Minister is seeking funds to allow for tax breaks for young farmers who enter into long-term leases.

There will be a first attempt at closing the gap between PAYE workers and the self-employed for tax credit purposes, which will benefit farmers significantly.

He will move to assist older farmers who pass on land to their children. Measures to free up land for agriculture are being explored.

Coveney has indicated farmers will be given “priority treatment” in this budget.