The main points of yesterday's Budget outlined
• Top rate of income tax cut by one percentage point to 41 per cent.
• Personal tax credit increased by €130 to €1,760 for a single person and by €260 a year to €3,520 for married couples.
• The 20 per cent standard income tax band widened by €2,000 per year to €34,000 for single person and €43,000 for married one-earner couples.
• Health levy increased by 0.5 of a percentage point to 2.5 per cent for earnings in excess of €100,100 a year.
• Stamp duty thresholds unchanged but mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers doubled.
• Contributory old age pension increased by €16 a week to €209.30. Non-contributory pension increases to €200
• Child benefit increased by €10 a month per child.
• Lowest adult rate of social welfare increased by €20 a month to €185.80.
• Business Expansion and Seed Capital Schemes extended for seven years.
• Charges for private beds in public hospitals increased by 25 per cent to fund service for elderly.
• Duty on packet of 20 cigarettes increased by 50 cent from midnight. Restrictions on the sale of packets of less than 20 cigarettes.
