Social welfare rates have rise by €12 - while the rate of the Universal Social Charge has dropped from 4 per cent to 3.
Some locals are starting off the new year with a few extra euro in their pocket.
Social welfare rates have rise by €12 - while the rate of the Universal Social Charge has dropped from 4 per cent to 3.
The minimum wage has increased by 80 cent to €13.50 an hour - and standard rate tax band has risen by €2,000, to 44,000 for a single person.
Michelle Murphy from Social Justice Ireland says the new government should think long and hard about supports they can put in place to help less well-off families.

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