A €10-a-week increase in the State pension and core social welfare payments is now set to form part of Budget 2027, as Government leaders enter the final stages of negotiations ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
The increase is expected to apply across the main welfare rates, including payments to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and jobseekers. An earlier figure of €7.50 had been under consideration, but negotiations have since moved to the higher €10 increase. Energy and the cost of living remain central to the final Budget discussions.
Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin has signalled that further carbon tax increases on home-heating oil will be halted for the remainder of the Government’s term. He has also confirmed that eligible pensioners and long-term welfare recipients can expect the traditional Christmas bonus payment this year.
Further targeted assistance for households facing high heating costs is still being discussed. One proposal under consideration is a once-off payment for Fuel Allowance recipients, with figures of around €300 mentioned during negotiations. However, the final form of this support has not yet been confirmed.
A new annual cost-of-disability payment is also expected, with current discussions putting its value in the region of €400 to €500. An increase in the Living Alone Allowance is among the measures expected to feature in the final package.
The Government is also examining ways of reducing household energy costs, while final decisions on childcare supports are being worked out during talks in Government Buildings today.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday next, October 6th, with the overall package expected to include approximately €7 billion in additional spending and €1.5 billion in tax reductions.
Final decisions on several measures are still being made, so figures relating to Fuel Allowance, disability supports, childcare and other cost-of-living measures should be treated as proposals until formally announced on Budget Day.
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