Personal tax cuts and cost-of-living help expected

The Republic of Ireland’s finance minister is expected to announce personal tax cuts and cost-of-living supports in a giveaway pre-election budget on Tuesday.

There is growing speculation that the election will be held before Christmas.

Official figures published last week suggest Ireland will run a €25bn (£21.8bn) budget surplus this year, partially due to a huge tax windfall from Apple.

The minister, Jack Chambers, has said the windfall will not impact Tuesday’s budget with the money being set aside for investment plans.

However the country’s infrastructure has not kept pace with that growth and significant investment is needed in energy, water and housing.

The coalition’s record on housing has been the key point of attack for the main opposition party, Sinn Féin.

Sinn Féin had been performing strongly in opinion polls but seen a significant dip in support in recent months.

The government is expected to announce a further round of housing related measures on Tuesday including a tax on land which has been zoned for housing but not built on.