Social welfare Ireland: Minister gives major update on cost of living bonuses for next year
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has given his verdict on a potential spring 2024 cost of living package similar to the one rolled out in February of this year
by Erica Carter · RSVP LiveThere will not be any cost of living bonuses next spring.
The government recently announced a cost of living package as part of Budget 2024 in October, with a total of nine bonuses and double payments.
This is similar to their package in Budget 2023, in which the government then went on to roll out another cost of living package in spring 2023.
Read more:One major group won't be receiving January's cost of living double payment
The package, which was announced in February, included a €100 child benefit bonus, a €100 back to school allowance boost and a €200 one off payment for pensioners and all other social welfare payments.
However, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has ruled out a repeat of this in spring 2024.
“No, I don’t believe we will," he told the Irish Sun.
“I think by that point and I am confident that by that point we will have inflation well on the way down.
“Then when we move into the early part of 2024 there will be a further two energy credits of €150 available to households. I believe they will still need those €150 but I am confident that will be the kind of support that will help get people through what will be a difficult start of the year and it will be.
“It will be winter. Inflation will still be high but coming down and those payments will make a big difference.”
The final cost of living bonus is set to be paid out in January, with hundreds of thousands of social welfare recipients receiving a double payment.
This will be paid in the week beginning the 29th of January. Social welfare recipients will be paid double on the day they usually receive their payment.
Following on from this month's electricity credit, there will also be another €150 applied to accounts from January 1st as well as again from March 1st.
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