It has been described as a ‘giveaway budget’ for many.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath is currently delivering his first Budget in the Dail.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Budget 2024 will be “focused on the needs of people today and in the years to come”.
The following are some main pointers from the Budget so far:
* Social Welfare payments will see an increase of €12 per week from January
* Childcare fees will be reduced by an average of 25% starting next September
* Funding has been found for another 1,200 SNAs for Irish schools
* A once off reduction of the contribution fee by €1,000 for free fees students
* Those on social protection payments will have their Christmas bonus paid in early December
* People on the Living Alone Allowance will receive an extra €200 payment
* A once-off double week cost of living support payment will be made to all qualifying social protection
recipients in January
* Child benefit payments are to be extended to those aged 18 years old who are in full-time education
* A double child benefit payment worth an additional €140 per child will be paid before Christmas.
* An excise tax hike of 75c on a pack of 20 cigarettes means the price will now be €16.75
* Three further energy credits to be released
* Secondary school students will receive free books for the first three years of school from next September.
More to follow…
