So how will Budget 2010 hit your pocket?

Here are some of the main points from the document.

A new Carbon Tax will hike petrol and diesel by 4 and 5 cent respectively from midnight.

Though your home heating oil and briquettes will not be hiked until May next year.

But for drivers with a car over 10 years old who want to buy a new ‘greener’ one a €1,500 scrappage scheme comes in on January 1st for one year.

Smokers escape any increase – a pack of twenty cigarettes stays the same.

While drinkers can raise a glass – as a pint drops 12 cent, spirits 14 cent and a bottle of wine by 60 cent.

The half percent VAT rise introduced a year ago is reversed – so slightly cheaper utility bills and goods and services are on the way.

Homeowners in negative equity will not lose the mortgage interest relief if the 7 year period is up next year.

If you are a public servant you will be taking a pay cut.

A complicated tiered system on your pay means it will be cut between 5 and 20%.

It’s bad for those depending on social welfare – child benefit is cut by €16 per month per child.

While all welfare rates, with the exception of old age pensions, are cut by up to €8.50 euro per week.
Rates are cut to €100 or €150 per week for the unemployed aged between 21 and 24.

If you have a medical card and need prescriptions – a new 50 cent charge per item will apply.

A&E charges are also set to rise while some dental and optical benefits are to be restricted.