The Irish Government is planning to privatise some state assets such as the National Lottery licence - Leaving Cert Economics - Question 4 - 2013

1. Improved Quality of Services: Privatised companies often focus on enhancing service quality and efficiency, driven by competition and the profit motive. This can lead to better services for consumers.

2. Increased Competition: The introduction of private companies in sectors traditionally dominated by the government fosters competition. This can lead to lower prices and innovation, benefiting consumers.

1. Job Losses: Privatisation can lead to job cuts, as private companies often seek to reduce costs by streamlining operations and eliminating positions deemed unnecessary. This can lead to increased unemployment.

2. Loss of Public Accountability: Transitioning to private ownership may reduce the accountability of service providers to the public, as profit motives can dominate over public welfare.

VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a consumption tax placed on goods and services. It is charged at each stage of the production and distribution process, with consumers ultimately bearing the cost when they purchase the final product.

1. Revenue Generation: The introduction of a sugar tax would provide additional funding for public health initiatives and government services, as the revenue collected can be utilized for programs aimed at reducing health issues related to sugar consumption.

2. Health Incentives: Implementing a sugar tax may discourage consumers from purchasing high-sugar products, leading to healthier lifestyle choices and potentially reducing healthcare costs associated with diet-related diseases.

1. Regressive Impact: A sugar tax may disproportionately affect low-income households, as they spend a larger percentage of their income on consumables. Thus, the tax could exacerbate inequality by placing a heavier financial burden on those least able to afford it.

1. Government Revenue: The household property tax provides essential revenue for local councils, which can be used to fund various public services and infrastructure projects, reducing dependency on central government funding.

1. Regressive Nature: The household property tax may be viewed as regressive, as it takes a similar amount from all householders regardless of income, thus affecting lower-income families more severely.

1. Decreased Government Expenditure: Reducing child benefit can help alleviate financial strains on the government's budget. This decision could redirect funds to essential services and reduce the overall fiscal deficit.

1. Impact on Lower-Income Families: Lowering child benefits can place increased financial pressure on families who are already struggling. This could lead to higher child poverty rates and adverse effects on children's wellbeing and development.

1. Revenue for Educational Institutions: Increasing registration charges can provide much-needed funding for higher education institutions, thus enhancing the quality of education provided and supporting various academic programs.

1. Access to Education: Higher registration fees may deter students from lower-income backgrounds from pursuing higher education, creating barriers to access and potentially leading to a less educated workforce.