A major new social welfare payment has been cancelled as the government shelves plans for the savings scheme.
A €1,000 plan for all newborns to be put in a savings scheme has been scrapped as the key pre-election proposal is set to be ‘watered down’.
The ‘Acorn’ scheme was initially a key pre-election proposal by Taoiseach Simon Harris and was considered a point of contention between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
The document will see its wording altered to a commitment to explore the concept. It is believed that plans for a publicly funded childcare model, which was widely agreed upon during the election campaign by most parties, will be included.
Insiders revealed that the document anticipates “State involvement” in the sector, with plans for “a broad consultation with families, educators, and providers” as outlined in the Fine Gael manifesto.
A government programme was agreed upon yesterday between negotiators for the two parties and regional independents, with the regional group expected to have two super-junior ministers.
This agreement sets the stage for Micheal Martin to once again take up the role of Taoiseach next Wednesday.
However, there will be no commitment to the previous government’s 2:1 spending ratio on public transport to road projects. Insiders from both parties have indicated that this ratio had affected road construction, but this will no longer be an issue as major projects like Metro are given priority.
Furthermore, two new government departments proposed during the election campaign will not be created.
The proposed Department of Infrastructure by Mr Harris and a Home Affairs department suggested by Fianna Fail will not stand alone. Instead, they will be incorporated within the Department of Public Expenditure and the Department of Justice, respectively.
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