The Government of Ireland included many unpopular measures in it’s 2009 budget.
But budgets are always unpopular. That is why even the upper house cannot veto a money bill indefinitely, belt tightening is sometimes just necessary, whether we like it or not.
The highlight, or rather lowlight, or the budget for us at Ambrand.com is the €160 levy on private health insurance. For those not familiar with the Irish health system health insurance is a must if you want to reduce waiting times, and stay healthy.
For example it costs € 55 to visit a General Practitioner (GP) and that comes out of the patients pocket. Some people have wonderious items called “medical cards” which are the defacto universal discount cards in Ireland; Free unlimited GP visits, reduced FOI request fees, and a whole host of other non health related benefits.
Alas, I am not self employed and cannot arrange my income figures suitably to enjoy a medical card. So I pay for my own Voluntary Health Insurance from the aptly named VHI.
Unfortunately my renewal date is after 1st January 2009, and so in addition to the premium I will be obliged to pay € 160 which will go straight into the coffers of the Government.
This reminds me of DIRT tax - a tax on saving. Alas, the Government must look after the “sponger” (use in a tongue in cheek fashion) by taxing the “well off”?
Naturally the levy tax has no sunset clause, and just like the 2 percent “temporary” levy on car insurance it will continue next year.
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