Question about tax in Ireland?

I live with my partner and our daughter. She is 2. My partner has a full time job. We have heard he can claim tax credits for both myself and my daughter. What does this mean? Does it count that we are not married. I know I am losing out on the homemakers allowance because we are not married. (which I think is so unfair). I have a medical card (for both myself and my daughter) because we are in the low wage bracket, but am not on any social benefits. I receive no payment from the government. My partner earns approx 390 euro weekly. Can anyone tell me how the tax allowance works. thanks

For a married couple, the amount of money you can earn before paying tax is doubled to 10,420 (2005 + 2006) plus 575 for a dependant child.
Also, the band at which tax at 20% (rather than 42%) increases.
I'm pretty sure you would have to be married to avail of this.
The revenue website www.revenue.ie should have most of the info you need, as well as contact numbers Source(s): www.revenue.ie