PENSIONERS and people in receipt of social welfare payments will receive a Halloween double week bonus AND a Christmas bonus as part of a €1.5bn cost of living package, the Irish Sun can reveal.
The budget announcement will also include one-off lump sums for six key groups that range from €100 up to €400.
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Pensions and welfare payments will rise by €12 too as part of the coalition’s final giveaway budget.
New parents are also set to land a TREBLE child benefit payment as part of a “baby boost” following the birth of their child as part of measures agreed tonight.
Government leaders Finance Minister Jack Chambers, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys were locked in talks until late tonight as they worked to finalise Budget 2025.
The Irish Sun understands that a €1.5bn cost of living package has been signed off at the meeting which will include a range of one-off bonus payments negotiated by Minister Humphreys.
This includes €300 for people on the fuel allowance, €400 for the disability support grant, €400 for the carers support grant, €200 for people on the living alone allowance, €400 for people in receipt of the working family payment and €100 for people who receive the child support grant.
This is on top of two double child benefit payments for every child in the country, with one paid out in November and the second in December.
Green leader Roderic O’Gorman has also secured a treble child benefit payment for new parents following the birth of their child in what is being labelled the “baby boost”.
This will see new parents receive €420 in their first child benefit payment after their baby is born. It’s understood this will kick in from January 1, 2025.
Benefits rise
This will be accompanied by a €15-per-week rise in the State maternity and paternity benefit, which has also been agreed for Budget 2025.
The Greens have also managed to secure funding to expand free public transport to all children under the age of nine.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys fought for one-off cost of living bonuses that will be paid out before Christmas.
The Fine Gael deputy has also secured a €12 increase across the board for pensioners and people in receipt of welfare payments.
Funding secured
Meanwhile, Arts Minister Catherine Martin will also extend for another year her Basic Income for Artists scheme that sees 2,000 artists paid €325 per week.
And Education Minister Norma Foley has secured funding to expand the free school books scheme to include all students – adding 5th and 6th years to the programme.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers will also announce a cut to the Universal Social Charge tax from four per cent down to three per cent for people earning less than €50,000.
The Dublin TD will also raise the threshold at which people pay the higher rate of tax from €42,000 up to €44,000 and add new tax credits to benefit lower earners.
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.”
