December 5th, 2001: Increases in drink, tobacco and petrol come into effect immediately.
January 2002: 275,000 social welfare recipients, including those getting supplementary social welfare and unemployment payments, will receive them immediately.
Cuts in house stamp duty cover all sales signed after interest relief on rental income returns from January 1st.
February: Increases in old age pensioners' electricity and gas allowances come into force.
February 8/9th: Progressive Democrats annual conference
Mid-February: A six week lump sum will be paid to 275,000 people for increases due on January 1st in carers allowances, one-parent family payment, deserted wives and invalidity pensions; a 13-weeks lump sum will be paid to cover increases due up to early April in disability allowances, old age contributory and non-contributory pensions.
March 1st: 1 per cent rise in VAT, employers PRSI will be cut to 10.75 per cent.
March 7/8th : Fianna Fβil Ard Fheis.
March/April: Income tax changes due from January 1st will be backdated.
Easter Sunday: March 31st.
May 7th: Monthly child benefit increases will paid, backdated to April - three months earlier than last year and five months earlier than in 1997. Eligibility limits for carers will be raised.
May: Easing of free telephone rental eligibility rules comes into force. Betting tax to be cut from 5% to 2%.
June: Respite Care Grant will be increased by €127.10 to €635.
June 1st: Beginning of Ireland's World Cup campaign.
June 26th: Date by which general election must be held.
