The Irish Government has been accused of a cradle to the grave budget blitz after targeting jobless youth, pensioners and mothers in its latest austerity cuts.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan unveiled a 2.5billion euro (£2.1billion) savings plan offering the country the cold comfort that it could have been much worse.
“I know that there is a view that the consolidation should go further, but people have already made many sacrifices.”
Dole payments to young people are being slashed by nearly a third.
Anyone under 25 who signs on from January will get just 100 euro (£84) a week, down from 144 euro (£121), while 25-year-olds can claim 144 euro, reduced from 188 euro (£158).
The Unite trade union warned dole and welfare cuts would cost 25,000 jobs and drive youths abroad.
Young families have been hit, with maternity benefits expected to put some mothers 32 euro (£27) out of pocket – although others will receive more money.
The elderly have been targeted through a number of cutbacks. A tightening up of the eligibility for the over-70s medical cards will mean tens of thousands lose free health care.
Health Minister Dr James Reilly said: “I know that older people may feel they are having something that has been taken away, but they have been replaced with the free GP care card, so they don’t have to worry about the cost of going to a doctor,” he said.