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Government has unveiled Budget 2025, introducing a comprehensive range of one-off supports, tax measures, and increased funding across critical sectors to address the cost of living, support families, and enhance public services.

One-off Cost of Living Supports

A series of one-off payments will be introduced to alleviate financial pressures during Winter 2024:

• Electricity Credit: Two €125 electricity credits to be provided during 2024/2025.
• Fuel Allowance Lump Sum: €300 for eligible recipients.
• Living Alone Allowance: €200 lump sum payment.
• Child Benefit: A double month of Child Benefit payments.
• Working Family Payment: A lump sum of €400.
• Qualified Child Increment: A €100 lump sum.
• Double Week Welfare Payments: All long-term weekly welfare schemes will receive a double week payment.
• Foster Care Allowance: A double payment will be made to foster carers.
• €400 Lump Sum for Selected Welfare Categories: Recipients of the Carer’s Support Grant, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, and Domiciliary Care Allowance will receive a one-off payment.

Tax Measures

Budget 2025 introduces several changes to tax credits and rates:

• Main Tax Credits will see a €125 increase.
• Standard Rate Cut-off Point rises by €2,000.
• Home Carer Tax Credit and Single Child Carer Credit increase by €150 each.
• Incapacitated Child Tax Credit and Blind Person Credit rise by €300.
• The USC (Universal Social Charge) middle threshold increases by €1,622, while the 4% rate is reduced to 3%.
• Rent Tax Credit rises from €750 to €1,000.
• Excise Duty and VAT on cigarettes increase by €1 per pack.
• VAT on heat pumps decreases to 9%, and the Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax Credit is extended.

Expenditure Measures

The Budget provides significant investment across various sectors, including:

• Healthcare: 495 new beds, increased access to IVF and HRT free of charge, and 600,000 additional home support hours.
• Social Welfare: A €12 weekly increase in the main social welfare rate, alongside a comprehensive carer’s package.
• Education: Extension of the Hot School Meals programme to all primary schools in 2025, introduction of a school meals holiday hunger pilot project, and the provision of free schoolbooks for all senior cycle pupils in recognised post-primary schools.

Housing and Infrastructure

• Housing: 10,000 new-build social homes, €560 million for affordable housing schemes supporting 6,400 homes, and funding for 7,400 new social housing leases.
• Transport: Continued rollout of the BusConnects programme, town bus services, and fare initiatives like the Young Adult Card extended to the end of 2025.
• Broadband and Connectivity: €400 million to accelerate the rollout of the National Broadband Plan.

Rural Development and Agriculture

• €235 million allocated to support rural infrastructure and schemes.
• Significant investment in sustainable farming, including €30 million for a new tillage scheme, and enhancements to the Beef and Sheep Welfare Schemes.

Arts, Culture, and Sports

• Almost €380 million allocated to arts and culture, and €231 million dedicated to sports, benefiting clubs and organisations nationwide.

Public Safety and Defence

• Funding for the recruitment of 1,000 Gardaí and 150 civilian staff, a net increase of 400 military personnel, and an expanded Coast Guard Search and Rescue contract.

Social and Community Initiatives

• €7 million for organisations supporting victims of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
• An additional €25 million to the Community Recognition Fund to enhance community facilities.

For full details, visit the official government website: gov.ie/budget.