Half price public transport for young people, free contraception and a hike in the fuel allowance.
That's just some of the new measures to be announced in today's budget.
💸 What'll hit your pocket?
- 50c increase on a 20 box of cigarettes
- carbon tax will mean increased diesel, petrol, coal etc costs from midnight
- no increase in alcohol excise 🍻
- €5 a week increase in state pension & core welfare rates
- rise in minimum wage— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 12, 2021
The €1.5 billion in additional spending will be largely aimed at addressing the rising cost of living.
Fuel Costs To Rise With Fuel Allowance
Among the last measures agreed yesterday was a €5 a week rise in the fuel allowance, effective from midnight tonight.
That's in a bid to offset fuel costs - which will also rise at midnight due to €7.50 a tonne increase in carbon tax.
The point at which people pay the higher rate of income tax will rise by €1,500 - that's worth about €8 a week.
Minister Eamon Ryan has secured a €25 millionfund to give half price public transport to students and anyone aged between 19 and 23.
Pensions And Social Welfare To Rise
Pensions and most social welfare rates will rise by 5 euro a week - with a full Christmas bonus to be paid.
Government sources keen to stress while €5 a week might seem miserly to some the most at risk will be getting more. Someone claiming the state pension, fuel allowance and living along allowance will see a rise of €13 a week for example
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 12, 2021
A €100m package from Minister Catherine Martin for the tourism sector will include a pilot universal basic income scheme for artists.
A loan guarantee scheme for financial institutions who lend to fund home retrofits forms part of a 350m euro climate package.
Justice, Housing And Health Budgets Increase
The Department of Justice has secured funding for 800 new gardaí and 400 garda civilian staff in 2022.
The Help to Buy Scheme is being extended by a year, while the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme is being extended until the first Q of 2022.
The Department of Health budget is set to see a decrease in Covid funding, while new spending will see a scheme to provide free contraception to young women
