Following payment increases, tax changes, new grants etc, announced by the Irish Government back on October 1st last, many new measures will now come into effect within the coming days. Some of these cost-of-living changes will now include:-See full changes HERE.
The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%.
A €125 energy credit, to be paid to all households, regardless, from January 1st 2025.
Means test to be disregarded for Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 years and over – €524 (single person) and €1,048(for a couple).
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
Weekly rates of Child Support Payment will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 years and over, and by €4 to €50 for those aged under 12 years.
A €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after December 1st 2024.
A €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people obtaining a reduced rate.
An increase by €60 a week in the case of the Working Family Payment; regardless of family size.
A €20 increase per month in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025
Those in receipt of State Pensions(Non-contributory); Disability Allowances or Blind Pensions; the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January1st 2025.
Carer’s Benefit to extend to persons who are self-employed.
VAT for installing a heat pump will be now be reduced from the current standard rate of 23% to the reduced rate of 9%.
Pre-deceased by her husband Dr. Frank; Mrs Curran passed away peacefully.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; Chris, Louis, Karl, John and Hugh, her brother Frank, her grandchildren Annalivia, Clara Rose, Olivia, Coco, Lucy, Charlie, Lela, Amabel, Milo, Aoibhínn and Odhrán, daughters-in-law Jessica, Claudia, Breena and Susie, son-in-law Vincent, nephews and nieces, sisters-in-law Fran, Maura and Margaret, brothers-in-law Daniel, John and Neil, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.
The extended Curran and Hogan families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Pre-deceased by her husband Joe, sister Mary, sons Con and Michael; Mrs Harrington passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at Elmhurst Nursing Home, Glasnevin, Co. Dublin.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; children Ger, Anne, Claire, Aoife and Cathy, daughters-in-law Berni, Mary and Mary, sons-in-law Joe, David and Cormac, grandchildren Susan, Fiona, Karen, Brian, Aoife, Olivia and Ava, great-grandchildren Jack, Joe, Sam, Isabelle, Lucy, Ruairí, Ben and Emma, her brother Denis, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.
For those persons who are unable to attend the funeral service for Mrs Harrington, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Harrington and Treacy families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Vocals Vocals: American country music singer/songwriter Donald Ray Williams(1939 – 2017) Lyrics: American songwriter Wayland Holyfield, latter who sadly passed away in May of this year 2024.
You’re My Best Friend.
You placed gold on my finger, You brought love, like I’ve never known. You gave life to our children, And to me, a reason to go on. You’re my bread when I’m hungry. You’re my shelter from troubled winds. You’re my anchor in life’s ocean, But most of all, you’re my best friend. When I need hope and inspiration, You’re always strong when I’m tired and weak, I could search this whole world over, You’d still be everything that I need. You’re my bread when I’m hungry. You’re my shelter from troubled winds. You’re my anchor in life’s ocean, But most of all, you’re my best friend. You’re my bread when I’m hungry. You’re my shelter from troubled winds. You’re my anchor in life’s ocean, But most of all, you’re my best friend.
Over 8,000 arrests and 20,000 charges and summons issued in first year of Operation Táirge which tackles organised retail crime
Progress made by Gardaí under Operation Táirge, has resulted in a significant crackdown on retail crime in its first year. Over 8,000 people have been arrested and over 20,000 charges and summons issued over the last 12 months.
Launched in December 2023, Operation Táirge is An Garda Síochána’s national operation targeting organised retail crime. Organised retail crime typically refers to situations where a number of people are acting together. These people target retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market.
Organised retail crime can also involve refund fraud with the purpose of making a financial or material benefit. It is usually a co-ordinated and well-organised crime carried out by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers.
Operation Táirge plays a key role in ensuring retailers and their staff are protected from organised crime and the harm that it can do to their businesses.
A total of 8,460 Arrests and 20,052 charges or summons were recorded in association with Operation Táirge between 1st December 2023 and 30th November 2024.
The Operation is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy which aims to reduce the detrimental impact retail crime and criminals can have on retail businesses, and also seeks to support operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing retail theft.
Notable successes under Operation Táirge include:
On 24th November Gardaí in DMR North arrested a man in his 50s as part of ongoing investigations into recent thefts from retail stores across North Dublin. The man was taken to a Garda station in North Dublin and subsequently charged with 46 counts of theft and one count of assaulting a retail worker.
On 20 November Gardaí attached to the Coolock and Raheny districts arrested and charged 21 people as part of ongoing investigations under Operation Thor and Operation Táirge, targeting criminal activity with particular emphasis on robbery, burglary and theft in the North East Dublin Metropolitan Region areas of Coolock and Raheny.
Recent Comments