Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In addition, extra civilian staff will allow more trained gardaí to return to front-line policing. I am allocating an additional €39 million in current expenditure to the broader justice sector, an increase of 4.8%. This will fund increasing costs in direct provision and greater levels of activity in the Courts Service and the Prison Service. In addition, the Abhaile scheme has been extended for people in mortgage arrears and 2020 will see the establishment of the judicial council.

I am also increasing capital investment. An allocation of €265 million in 2020 will support the construction of the new forensic science laboratory; the redevelopment and modernisation of Limerick Prison; new Garda offices in Dublin to replace Harcourt Square and further investment in Garda IT to allow its digital strategy to be advanced.

DEFENCE

To acknowledge the great work of our Defence Forces at home and overseas, I am pleased to allocate over €32 million in additional funding to the defence Vote group. The increased allocation emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring the Defence Forces have the resources necessary to deliver on the roles it is assigned at home and overseas.

TAX CHANGES

Turning to our taxation system, I will not commit to across-the-board personal tax cuts at this time of economic uncertainty, as to do so could potentially undermine the sustainability of our public finances.

The unfunded tax cut of today is the unwelcome tax increase of tomorrow. It is important to avoid a situation in which decisions made this year might be reversed in the future.

I do not want to go down that path again. Care is needed. In terms of personal income tax changes, I am announcing an increase in the home carer credit of €100 to bring the value of the credit to €1,600. This will support working families with caring responsibilities in the home.

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