PARENTS look set to pocket TWO double child benefit payments before Christmas with one paid out in November and another in December as part of Budget 2025, the Irish Sun understands.
Fine Gael are fighting for the major double payment for all parents in order to ease pressure on families as part of the cost of living package.
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Taoiseach Simon Harris met with Government leaders and Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe tonight for budget talks ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
While sources were keen to point out that no decision will be signed off until Monday, it is believed that the Taoiseach is significantly backing the two double child benefit payments.
This will see parents land a €280 payment in November and another €280 benefit in December in the run up to Christmas.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys is also pushing for the double child benefit boost as part of the cost of living package.
Families are set to be the big winners in the budget with public transport due to be made free of charge for all children under the age of nine as part of Budget 2025.
The Green Party has been pushing for measures to lower the cost of public transport in a bid to encourage more people to use buses and trains.
In previous budgets, the cost of public transport fares were cut by 20 per cent by adults and 50 per cent for younger people aged between 18 and 25.
FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR KIDS
Now, the Greens are moving to extend free travel on buses and trains to children up to the age of nine with the measure due to kick in next summer.
Kids aged five and under can already travel for free on public transport with the change seeing this extended to children aged six, seven and eight.
A source said: “This is a change that’s good for the environment but good for parents’ pockets also.
“It will save parents money when they are travelling with their kids but will also ease congestion and pollution by encouraging people to use public transport.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail are pushing an extension of the Help to Buy scheme to help people buying their first home.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers wants to see the scheme extended to the end of 2029 and is pushing for a funding commitment to enable this as part of Budget 2025.
BUDGET 2025 HINTS – WHAT WE CAN EXPECT
By ADAM HIGGINS, Political Correspondent
Taoiseach Simon Harris back in May said Ireland is not yet out of the woods when it comes to the cost-of-living crisis as he signalled there will be more one-off Budget bonuses.
He said: “In the coming Budget, we must ensure we provide the extra funding required to keep pace with the expanding population and a cost-of-living and welfare package that protects the most vulnerable.
“Income tax bands and credits must again be properly indexed so that people do not drift into the higher rate band of income tax.”
In recent years, the Government has handed out extra social welfare payments for people availing of supports.
And Harris said the Government knows that “a strong economy has to translate into tangible benefits for our people.”
He added: “Right now, I know people are still hurting.
“Cost of living increases have left them feeling their personal finances are insecure and might not withstand any further shocks. We need to give them a sense of security that the Government get this.”
Former Finance Minister Michael McGrath previously told how workers will cash in on major tax breaks as part of the Coalition’s last Budget.
Speaking at the Fianna Fail Ard Dheis in Dublin back in April, the Cork TD boasted about how this Government has reduced income taxes and cut the USC rate for the first time in five years.
He said his next Budget will target carers, pensioners, families and people with disabilities — a signal he plans to increase social welfare payments.
He also revealed Budget 2025 will include a major income tax package that will see workers keep more of their hard-earned cash.
He said: “In this autumn’s Budget, we will again have a substantial income tax package. This is vital for individuals and families, but it is also important for our economy that Ireland has a competitive personal tax system.”
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