Summary
Budget 2014 involved €2.5bn in spending cuts and tax increases. *No tax relief on top range private health insurance plans. *Prescription charges for medical card holders increased from €1.50 to €2.50. *Free GP care for all those aged under five years old to be introduced. *No change to basic social welfare rates. *€100 Jobseeker's Allowance reduced rate extended to existing recipients who reach 22, and for new entrants aged up to 24 on or after 1 January 2014. Anyone aged 25 and under who signs on from January 2014 will get €100 a week, down from €144, while 25-year-olds can claim €144, reduced from €188. The full rate will be available to those aged 26 years and over. *€10m allocated to resolve Priory Hall complex problems. *Excise duty on a 75cl bottle of wine up 50c. *A pint of beer/cider up by 10c. *10c increase on 20 cigarettes. *Bereavement Grant of €850 to be discontinued from 1 January 2014. *Maternity benefit will be standardised to €230 per week from January 2014. *Child Benefit remains unchanged at €130 per month. *The telephone allowance for pensioners will be discontinued to save €44 million. *Air Travel Tax to be abolished in 2014.References
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