In October, Ministers Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin took to their feet and announced the measures for Budget 2016.

From USC cuts to extra gardaí and teachers, there was quite a lot to discuss out of Budget 2016. The interest groups reacted in a variety of ways, highlighting some of the issues that could be of concern in the lead up to the election.

Farmers hailed the Budget as ‘very positive’ for agriculture.

The Irish Farmers Association said the introduction of a €550 tax credit for farmers is a major step for hundreds of families. They also welcomed changes to taxes surrounding the succession of farms as ‘extremely positive.’

IFA President Eddie Downey, who has since resigned, said he was "extremely happy":

Meanwhile, the Knowledge Development Box was welcomed by business organisations.

The measure sees companies pay lower corporation tax - of 6.25% - for investment in research and development.

But CEO of Oxfam Jim Clarken said it's important it's not used as a tax avoidance measure:

However, housing groups said they were disappointed that the promised measures on rent certainty weren't delivered.

The Coalition has since announced they plan to stop landlords from raising rents every year, and it is limiting increases to once every two years.

Bob Jordan is CEO of housing charity Threshold, and said they were seeing around 50 people every day at risk of homelessness due to 'exorbitant' rent increases:

The Coalition has long signalled changes to bring down the cost of childcare - and the Childrens’ Rights Alliance said the Budget was the best for the average Irish child in the lifetime of the Government.

CEO Tanya Ward welcomed the extension of free GP care and new paid paternity leave.

But she said the second free pre-school year will have the biggest impact: