According to Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, the focus of the measures is to help the “hardest-hit” in society.
The government is reportedly pushing to downplay expectations for cost of living supports due to be announced on Tuesday. While there will be a focus on targeted supports introduced for many groups, such as social welfare recipients, the support bundle offered by the government will be considerably less than the supports announced in Budget 2023, The Irish Times reports.
Ministers are currently meeting to finalise the measures to help with the pinch that the cost of living is placing on households, with the measures to be brought before the Cabinet on Tuesday.According to Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, the focus of the measures is to help the “hardest-hit” in society, such as older people or people with disabilities. This means that increases to the living alone allowances and the fuel allowance could be among the measures being considered. It is also expected that the temporary business energy support scheme will have its eligibility criteria extended and its cut-off date pushed out. However, it has been reported that the measures may not reach the €1 billion mark with more €200 electricity credits currently looking doubtful, although no decision has been made yet. Despite this, Claire Kerrane TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on social protection, called on the government to introduce a Spring Bonus for people relying on working-age social welfare payments. Kerrane said that this bonus could provide "much-needed support to hard-pressed households struggling with the cost of living crisis, along with additional necessary measures the party has outlined". "Sinn Féin are calling on the government to commit to the payment of a ‘Spring Bonus’ for those relying on working age social welfare payments including pensioners, people with disabilities, workers, carers and lone parents,” Kerrane said.
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