Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
35. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the social protection payment increases that came into effect from 1 January 2026; the level of increased spending overall; the amount of people to benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2712/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 7th October 2025, I announced a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures for Budget 2026. In total, the Revised Estimate provides that €28.9 billion will be invested in social protection in 2026, an increase of 7.6% on the equivalent figure from 2025.
The measures contained in the Budget are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the cost of living and there is a particular focus on tackling child poverty.
The Budget package includes the largest Child Support Payment increase in the history of the State, with a weekly increase of €16, to €78, for children aged 12 and over (a 26% increase in the rate), and a weekly increase of €8, to €58, for children under 12 years (a 16% increase).
This brings the total annual value of the Child Support Payment to more than €3,000 for each child under 12 and more than €4,000 for each child 12 and over. These increases greatly exceed the rate of inflation and will directly benefit about 330,000 children whose parents are in receipt of a social welfare payment.
Record increases were announced in respect of the Carer’s Allowance income disregard, with an increase of €375 to €1,000 for a single person, and an increase of €750 to €2,000 for a couple. The income limit for Carer’s Benefit will also increase by €375 to €1,000 per week. This change will take effect from July 2026.
Also included in the Budget package are across the board increases of €10 per week to maximum personal payment rates, benefitting people such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents, with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced payment rate and qualified adults.
The Budget package also provides significant supports to help householders with the cost of heating and other energy bills. The Fuel Allowance will increase by €5 to €38 per week.
This package consists of more than €320 million in targeted measures designed to tackle child poverty. This will make a real difference in the drive to alleviate child poverty and improve the lives of the many children and their families across Ireland.
The number of people who will benefit from increased social protection payment measures from January 2026, unless noted otherwise, are as follows:
Families with Children:
• 330,029 children to benefit from increase of Child Support Payment by €8 per week for children under 12 and by €16 per week for children aged 12 and over.
• 35,000 families to benefit from extension of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2 and 3 year old children.
• 43,000 families in receipt of Working Family Payment to benefit from expanded eligibility for Fuel Allowance (from March, backdated to January).
• 48,869 recipients and 100,117 children to benefit from an increase to the Working Family Payment income threshold, by €60 per week.
Carers and People with Disabilities
• 1,500 employers and 2,500 employees to benefit from a €1.20 increase to base rate of Wage Subsidy (to €7.50 per hour, from April).
• approximately 3,000 individuals to benefit from an increase to earnings disregard for Carer's Allowance (from July this estimate is subject to inflow into the scheme).
• 73,089 children will benefit from a monthly increase of €20 to Domiciliary Care Allowance to €380 per month.
• Pensioners
• 414,188 recipients will benefit from an increase to weekly rate of Fuel Allowance by €5.
• 804,361 pensioners and 50,243 qualified adults totalling 854,604 beneficiaries of a €10 increase to the maximum weekly rate of all pension payments.
• Employment Supports and Working Age Income Supports
• 27,200 individuals to benefit from an increase to top-up payment for Community Employment, Tús, and RSS.
• 720,659 beneficiaries of an increase to the weekly rates of payment for working age schemes by €10 per week.
