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In a video message released this morning, Taoiseach Enda Kenny reaffirmed his expectation that Ireland will exit its bailout programme this December.

Emphasising the pro jobs elements of the budget, the Taoiseach said:

The budget was designed to build on the 3,000 private sector jobs being created every month.

We also introduced a new €500m jobs package with 25 new tax measures to accelerate job creation over the next year.

Measures such as maintaining the 9% VAT rate for the tourism sector which has already created 15,000 new jobs since its introduction.

The Taoiseach added:

I want to thank those hard working families and all the people of Ireland for their sacrifices over the years. Those sacrifices are now paying off.

We are now on course to move into a brighter future for Ireland and for the next generation.

Watch a playlist of Government Ministers speaking about the affect of Budget 2014 on their Departments.