Local Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill is welcoming budget measures to support families and businesses to alleviate pressures caused by the increased cost of living.
The TD welcomes the €250 energy credit, and a €12 rise in all weekly social protection payments and the lower age eligibility for the Fuel Allowance from 70 to 66 years.
Deputy Cahill also welcomes the extension of the Home to Buy Scheme until 2029 and the increase to €1000 in the Renters Tax Credit.
Funding for an additional 1,600 SNAs and 750 Special Education teachers is also included in the budget.
Other measures the TD would like to highlight include –
- Parents of newborns will receive a one-off payment of €420.
- €15 weekly increase in maternity, paternity and parents’ benefit.
- Free IVF scheme will be expanded.
- Two double payments of Child Benefit in November and December.
- A double payment of all welfare rates in October and December.
- A €400 lump sum for those in receipt of the working family payment.
- Students will get €1,000 off their college fees and postgraduate students will see their fee contribution grant increase from €4,000 to €5,000.
- Free hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women.
- Expansion of free schoolbooks to all second level students.
