Budget 2013 Comes Into Effect

You may find you have less money to spend from this month - as a raft of new charges and spending cuts announced in December's budget take effect. Consumers are being hit with higher rail and bus fares, increased taxes on savings, a rise in car insurance for women and a hike in motor tax. Monthly child benefit payments are also now €10 less at €130 for the first and second child, and €18 less for the third. And the scrapping of the PRSI-free allowance for workers earning more than €18,000 will be visible on the payslips this month, it will cost workers an average of €5 per week.

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