Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That was extremely helpful and beneficial. We have taken the elderly from the tax net with the age exemption scheme operated for people over 75. Such people are now exempt from tax up to limits which now stand at €16,500 for single people and €33,000 for married people. This represents a significant increase for people. As for the fuel allowances, we have increased the number of weeks covered. While I know that energy costs have risen we have done much to help such people. As I understand it, on every survey that has been conducted, we are the lowest in respect of tax.

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