Minister Noonan says Ireland is well along the path to recovery following budget announcement

There's some good news - no hikes for motorists, cheaper flights are on the way, the lower VAT rate remains and children aged five and under are getting free GP care. Michael Noonan made some good news announcements - no hike in motor tax or the cost of filling up on petrol or diesel. He also gave the tourism and hospitality sectors a boost - their lower 9% VAT rate will continue, meaning no hike in prices in restaurants or the hairdressers. And cheaper flights are on the way from next year as he scraps the air travel tax, while there's a new tax credit on renovating your house next year and in 2015. While the survivors of the Magdalene laundries will get their lump sum compensation tax free. However smokers are hit with ten cent on a pack of twenty, 10 cent on beer, cider and spirits and 50 cent on a bottle of wine. He also hit tax reliefs on medical insurance, and imposed a levy on banks, as well as hitting savers with DIRT going up to 41%. Brendan Howlin announced lower dole rates will apply to under 26's - with a statement that young people should be in education or work. The telephone allowance is scrapped, prescription charges go up to 2.50, while all maternity benefits will be standardised at 230 a week. Welfare sick pay won't kick in for six days now, compared to the current 3.There will be no increases in class sizes, extra resource teachers will be hired, free gp visits for all children aged 5 and under, and 200 million from the lottery sale is to be used for local projects.