'Government is on your side': No increases to income tax, USC or PRSI announced in Budget 2021

“No one could have predicted the year that we have just had.  I want businesses and workers to know that as we face into more uncertain times, the Government is here for you and on your side,” said Tánaiste Leo Varadkar following Tuesday’s Budget 2021 announcement. 

“We are also extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), putting more money into low cost loans and grants to help businesses prepare for Brexit. These actions will make a real difference,” the Fine Gael leader continued. 

Mr Varadkar said the Government has put in place targeted actions to help business hurting most including a 9% VAT rate, commercial rate holiday extension to the end of the year and a new CRSS Scheme to give businesses forced to close or effectively close a weekly payment up to €5,000.

“The unallocated €3.4 billion Recovery Fund will give us the firepower we need to do more in 2021 to protect jobs if the pandemic continues. We are also increasing spending on infrastructure to over €10 billion in 2021, which will ensure there is work for the construction sector,” he said. 

The Tánaiste welcomed no increases in income tax, USC or PRSI. “You will be entitled to up to five weeks of paid parental benefit. If you are off sick for any reason, you can claim illness benefit from day three,” he said.