Pensioners see increases in Budget

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen's Budget has prioritised the family, social welfare recipients and tax breaks.

On childcare, Mr Cowen announced that parents of young children under six will receive an annual supplement of €1,000 beginning in mid-2006, as well as a range of other measures.

The minister used his second Budget to increase the contributory old-age pension by €14 to €193.30 per week and the non-contributory pension to €182 per week.

He also sanctioned a €1.2bn investment in the third-level sector up to 2010.

Mr Cowen told the Dáil during his 75-minute speech: “This is a progressive Budget. It will help Ireland build a fairer, more enterprising and more innovative society.

“We are building a new environment for the care of our children in a modern and changing society.”