An Exchequer deficit of €12,316 million was recorded to end-December 2020. This compares to a surplus of €647 million in 2019. The €12,963 million year-on-year deterioration in the Exchequer balance is primarily driven by increases in voted expenditure. Cumulative tax receipts of €57,165 million at the end of the year were down by 3.6 per cent or €2,149 million on last year. Receipts in 2020 benefitted from a strong performance in January and February, as well as solid income and corporate tax receipts, which have compensated — to an extent — for sharp declines in other tax heads, notably VAT and excise receipts.

Health insurance companies must eliminate small print on all their documentation and be more transparent regarding policy cover, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Now that we are Level 5 living with Covid, Local Online Shopping in Ireland has never been simpler than it is right now and given what has happened with Brexit, shopping locally online will create a lot less hassle AND will support your local economy.

Minister Madigan visiting St Martin de Porres National School

Minister Harris announces establishment of Munster Technological University

Fine Gael TD and spokesman on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, has called on the Ministers for Education and Higher Education to address the worrying decline in students undertaking the study of a foreign language at third level.

Figures from the Irish Coast Guard reminds us of the vital work they do to save lives on our coasts and that we must exercise great care in the water, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

A clear strategy is needed to manage and support patients suffering the long-term effects of Covid-19, a Fine Gael TD has said.

2021 must be the year to eliminate the Gender Pay Gap, a Fine Gael TD and former Chief of Staff of Global Operations at PayPal has said. Deputy Emer Higgins, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, is encouraging the Government to press ahead with the Gender Pay Gap Bill as a matter of priority in 2021.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has announced that €5.8m has been granted for community education.