Families to benefit from a 'cost of living' package in Budget 2025
Simon Harris said it is important Budget 2025 features a cost-of-living package as people are ‘still financially hurting’.
The comments by Mr Harris follow reporting by the Irish Daily Mail last week which indicated that a series of measures would be included in the budget and take effect before the end of this calendar year.
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Taoiseach Simon Harris. Pic: Fran VealeSpeaking at Government Buildings on Wednesday, Mr Harris said the Government is looking at measures to help people ‘in the here and now’. ‘
In relation to the Budget, yes, there will be a cost-of-living package this calendar year,’ he added. ‘I think it’s very important that there is one. People are still financially hurting. While we can point to many indicators that show that inflation is very significantly reducing, it’s entirely true, it doesn’t take away from the fact that that hasn’t been felt yet at homes, businesses, farms, right across Ireland.’
He added: ‘Obviously, the composition of the package, the size of it, and all of that will be a matter for engagement across the government, and will be announced on Budget Day, on the first of October.’
Lump sum payments in the past two budgets have proved popular, including fuel allowances and double payments for child benefit.
The Mail reported last month that Cabinet members had confirmed that there would be a repeat of the €450 electricity credit that the Coalition gave to all customers in Budget 2024.
Pic: ShutterstockHowever, instead of being paid in three €150 installments between December and March, it will be paid out by December this year.
The pre-Christmas rollout of benefits will also see a swathe of double social welfare payments. After the last budget, double welfare payments were distributed between November and January.
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