Budget day is fast approaching (two weeks from tomorrow), and our ICTU colleague Dr Laura Bambrick is quoted in this piece about the expectation, in the hospitality industry, of a VAT reduction that would soak up 45% of the €1.5bn scope of tax cuts planned. Laura told RTÉ "the food and catering sector is "not under stress" and that a VAT reduction for the industry would be a poor use of Government resources."

Meanwhile, Facebook owner Meta has removed a number of posts about Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin for violating its standards. Expect lots more of that kind of thing. 

Social workers are often afraid to share information about children due to GDPR concerns, according to the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW).

Elsewhere, the Indo reports that the cost of an IT upgrade at the Pensions Authority "has ballooned to almost €5m", while the project is behind schedule. It follows similar overruns on other technology projects at state bodies, including the Arts Council and RTÉ. 

Finally, the Irish Times has this piece behind the paywall about how the resignation of the chief exec of EirGrid "has had downstream consequences for Government over top-level pay."

Your Zen this morning is a chat with all-time-legend Al Pacino, 50 years on from his iconic performance, alongside John Cazale, in Sidney Lumet's brilliant Dog Day Afternoon.

Have a great week.

NS