Dublin’s fifth austerity budget since 2009 is intended “to create jobs,” according to Ireland’s Financial Minister Michael Noonan . . . the budget includes a hike of Ireland’s value added tax (VAT) by two percent to 23 percent, as well as other tax increases . . . it would also cut $1.9 billion from health, education, and welfare programs and would reduce the pay of civil servants . . . the budget is part of the terms of the international bailout Ireland received last year . . cuts to welfare were less than expected due to the involvement left-wing Labor Party in Ireland's new coalition government established in March . . . although the budget will likely slow economic growth, the absence of income tax increases is an attempt to keep the costs of employment low, which could boost job creation . . . the focus on job creation is intended to alleviate Ireland’s unemployment rate of 14.5 percent . . . as Ireland’s economy is heavily reliant upon trade, if the EU recession worsens, Kenny could be forced to impose even harsher budgets in the future.