THE FIRST TIME BUYERS’ SCHEME IS BEING RETAINED

The government will retain the First Time Buyers’ scheme, through which young couples buying a property receive up to €5,000 in assistance.

A NEW SCHEME FOR PEOPLE BUYING A SECOND HOME WILL BE LAUNCHED

People moving into a larger home or downgrading to smaller one can save up to €3,000 on stamp duty. If the buyer is disabled, the reduction will go up to a maximum of €5,000.

PARENTS ADOPTING A CHILD WILL SEE THEIR GOVERNMENT GRANT RISE

The grant will go up to a maximum of €10,000 per child – particularly helpful if the adoption process involves going abroad.

FOSTER PARENTS WILL ALSO SEE THEIR WEEKLY ALLOWANCE RISE

From €70, the allowance will go up to €100 weekly – an increase of €30.

THE ALLOWANCE FOR EMPLOYED WIDOWERS WILL BE MORE GENEROUS

Currently, a widowed person in employment and who receives a contributory pension is not entitled to sickness benefits, such as sick leave. As from next year, widowers who work and receive a contributory pension at the same time shall be entitled to sickness benefits.

ALL SCHOOLCHILDREN CAN USE FREE TRANSPORT

Parents will be happy to know that children enrolled in both private, Government and church schools will be able to go to school and get home using free school transport.

MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE WILL NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED A SOURCE OF INCOME

When a husband or a wife pays maintenance allowance, this is currently considered as income, which sometimes makes the recipients ineligible for free medicine. The Government pledged to change this, creating more conformity in the evaluation of non-contributory benefits.