Cavan has the highest amount of students that will benefit from the grant with over 1,300 successful applicants.

Mr Reilly who has offices in Cavan, Bailieborough, Granard and Longford also said the workplace pension enrollment scheme which is due to start in January next year was an added burden on local small businesses.

Cavan-based accountant and financial advisor said yesterday's budget was "very inflationary" and did "not tackle the cost of living crisis".

A number of lump sums will also be paid out in 2024.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath says they will review where prices stand before deciding to raise excise duty once again.

3 x €150 electricity credits for all households were announced earlier.

€12 increase to the old age pension does not replace all the spending power elderly people have lost since 2020.

The overall health spending of 22.5 billion is down from last year's total budget of 23.4 billion.