Motor Tax

The motor tax regime on commercial vehicles has been simplified and the tax rate has been reduced for commercial vehicles with effect from 1 January 2016. The rate of motor tax is being significantly reduced for all commercial vehicles above 4,000kgs, with a flat annual rate of €500 for vehicles between 4,000kgs and 12,000 kgs and a flat rate of €900 for vehicles above the upper limit. The motor tax regime applicable to vehicles under 4,000kgs remains unchanged.

Housing

• NAMA, by working with developers is to deliver a target of 20,000 new homes, 90% of them in the Greater Dublin area, by the end of 2020.
• In excess of 9,500 new social housing units, with over 3,100 of them in 2016, will be funded through direct investment and Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Local Property Tax

• Property revaluation date for LPT postponed from 2016 to 2019.

Social Protection

• Pensions and carer’s allowance are to be increased by €3 per week.
• The Respite Care Grant is to be restored to its previous level of €1,700 per annum.

Minimum wage

• The hourly minimum wage to be increased by 50c to €9.15.