Funding of €15m to provide school book rental schemes for 400 schools

The Minister for Education said the new funding will benefit all primary schools who currently operate a school book rental scheme.

Gross total expenditure for public service to amount to €53bn for 2014

Revised estimates are required to be published before the end of 2013.

Students protest cuts to social welfare by eating beans on a couch at Leinster House

They also dressed as members of cabinet to highlight the differences in income between politicians and the unemployed.

Vigil at children’s hospital to highlight medical card removal

Parents and supporters gathered at Crumlin Children’s Hospital this afternoon to protest revoking of cards for some chronically-ill children.

Column: Pitting one section of the Irish people against another weakens us all

Budget 2014 hit the most vulnerable elements of society – not the young, the sick, the old, or pregnant alone. We need to show intergenerational solidarity and stand together against this injustice, writes Peter Kavanagh.

Column: Nobody ever chooses to be homeless – this government is pushing people to the brink

Access to health services is key to leaving homelessness behind – which is why Budget 2014 is so damaging to the Government’s commitment to end long-term homelessness by 2016, writes Niamh Randall.

VIDEO: Pensioners at today's protest believe the worst is yet to come

One worries that without the telephone allowance her emergency alarm will be cut off. Another wishes he had never moved back to Ireland.

Damien Kiberd: Health is not just Angola, it’s the original Heart of Darkness

What’s to become of the very sick who can’t afford insurance cover and who don’t qualify for medical cards? Does anyone – including Reilly – know?

Money getting you down? A psychologist is giving free advice on how to handle stress

Psychologist Shane Martin is holding a free talk entitled “How to Cope with the Stress of Debt” this week.

Column: Budgeting our depression? Funding cuts are disastrous to mental health

Cuts to medical card allowances and social welfare payments have a direct impact on peoples’ the mental health – I know because I am one of those affected, writes Kate Bellamy.

Column: Funerals are tough – and costs escalate quickly

One of the more perplexing cuts outlined in this year’s budget is the axing of the Bereavement Grant. People feel that they’re not safe from austerity, even in death, writes Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Budget changes will affect 1.4 million health insurance customers

The cap on the tax relief on health insurance policies will increase the costs for customers.

OECD approves of Irish tax rate, but change is coming says Noonan

The head of the OECD’s tax centre says there is no threat to the Irish corporate tax rate, but Michael Noonan wants to enhance the country’s reputation.

The Gathering might return in five or seven years time, says Varadkar

The Gathering brought in more than 300,000 tourists, but he said it is not something that can be done too often.

Eamon Gilmore: ‘This is the last of the difficult budgets’

He said this budget will bring us to a point where Ireland will have control of “its economic destiny”.

Fine Gael and Labour social welfare cuts for youth criticised - by Labour Youth

The youth arm of the Labour Party called a measure approved by its own party “regressive” and “fundamentally unfair”, but the party rejected ideas that it had attempted to censor the statement.

Colm Keaveney: Hope has been driven out by cynicism in Ireland

“Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart”… Well, different groups in our society have had to endure different levels of sacrifice, writes Colm Keaveney.

Closing tax loophole won't 'adversely affect' multinational companies, says ACC

The American Chamber of Commerce and the IDA say that changes in Ireland’s tax residency rules will not affect Ireland’s competitiveness as a location for foreign direct investment.

Damien Kiberd: Budget 2014 arithmetic not just iffy - it's scary

The figures are extraordinarily precise, writes TheJournal.ie columnist Damien Kiberd – as imaginary numbers often neatly are.

How was it for you? Our Readers' Panel react, Part One

We spoke to some readers about their hopes and fears ahead of today’s budget. Here’s how they were affected, in their own words.

How was it for you? Our Readers' Panel react, Part Two

We spoke to some readers about their hopes and fears ahead of today’s budget. Here’s how they were affected, in their own words.

Wine, banter and turning on each other: Here's how Twitter reacted to Budget 2014

Cuts to maternity benefit and unemployment benefit for young people as well as the abolition of the bereavement grant were the hot topics.

How the World Reacted: Budget 2014

What’s the rest of the world saying about us?

Column: Cutting unemployment benefit to the under-26s is unjust and unacceptable

The plan is a further step towards the political disillusionment of young people, a drastic slash in living standards, and an even more polarised society, write Dan O’Neill and Fiona Dunkin.

"This Budget gives young people one guarantee - emigration" - Sinn Féin reacts to the Budget

Sinn Féin felt that the Budget was an attack on young people, repeating the message that the Government have “made emigration a policy”.

Higher rate of Invalidity Pension to be phased out

A higher level of payment offered within the scheme is to be cut for certain recipients.

"Even the dead aren't safe from this Government" - Fianna Fáil reaction to the Budget

The treatment of elderly people was highlighted by two Fianna Fáil spokespeople today, with Seán Fleming asking what the Government “has against elderly married couples?”.

IN FULL: Brendan Howlin's Budget 2014 speech

Medical cards, GP care for children, a levy on banks and more…

The DailyEdge.ie Guide to blocking the budget

Prefer to keep your head in the sand? We’re here to help

Lotto sale to fund children's hospital, a training centre, roads and more

Proceeds from the sale will fund a €200 million capital investment scheme, says Brendan Howlin.

IN FULL: Michael Noonan's Budget 2014 speech

Did you miss the minister’s Budget 2014 announcement earlier? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Government to "strategically invest" €6.4 billion NPRF pot

The €6.4 billion discretionary account in the National Pensions Reserve Fund will be used to invest in employment schemes in Ireland, Brendan Howlin said today.

No increases in VAT or income tax next year

Good news for airlines: Air Travel Tax to be scrapped next year

The current rate of tax means airlines have to pay €3 for every passenger departing from an airport.

"Living City" designations to be extended to Cork, Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny

The pilot scheme, which was rolled out this year in Waterford and Limerick, will be extended to the other cities in the country in 2014.

Michael Noonan's 13-second Instagram preview of the Budget

Watch him reading an autocue in EXTREME CLOSE-UP.