Irish Budget 2009: Could someone explain to me the logic behind this:

The Minister announced an increase in the standard VAT rate from 21 per cent to 21.5 per cent with effect from 1 December 2008. This increase will apply to all goods and services which are currently subject to VAT at 21 per cent.

Since VAT only affects consumers, with prices already on the ups and jobs on the downs, I would have thought increasing VAT to encourage Christmas shopping was not the best option available. I must be missing something.