Budget 2017: Moves to ease families’ living costs

Only one tax hike combined with modest initiatives to ease the everyday cost of living for working families and the most vulnerable were billed as the hallmarks of Budget 2017.

On welfare, five was the magic number, with state pensions, dole for the unemployed, carers’ allowance, and disability supports all up by €5 from March next year.

The cap on prescription charges for over 70s is also being cut by €5 down to €20.