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<\/p>\nHome heating and fuel supports also on the cards<\/p>\n
11:20, 03 Oct 2026Updated 17:11, 03 Oct 2026<\/p>\n
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Euro notes on a radiator(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
We’re just three days out from Budget 2027<\/a> being announced – and the latest update shows a big government focus on helping with households’ energy costs.<\/p>\n The leaks are now coming thick and fast and it seems the argument over keeping a tight rein on spending – or providing more supports to people struggling in the cost of living crisis – may have been decided in favour of Minsters who want to loosen the purse strings.<\/p>\n Last night, ministers were in talks over giving out a \u20ac300 lump-sum payment before Christmas to those on the Fuel Allowance. Over 465,000 households qualify for this welfare scheme, which is available for people aged 66 and over, as well as a range of others already getting certain social welfare payments.<\/a><\/p>\n The \u20ac300 sum would come instead of a \u20ac5 increase in the scheme’s weekly payment and would work out to have double the value. Meanwhile, ministers also discussed measures to support senior citizens in Ireland, like a \u20ac10 increase in the state pension, and a \u20ac7 rise for the Living Alone Allowance (currently \u20ac22 per week).<\/p>\n Another change being flagged is a probable rise of between \u20ac8 – \u20ac10 for core social welfare payments, other than the State Pension, with Jobseeker’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Child Benefit also in the frame for increases.<\/p>\n A new one-off social welfare payment of between \u20ac400 – \u20ac500 is also expected to be revealed. It’s anticipated this payment will be for those with a disability, and will be paid out early in the new year.<\/p>\n The crucial Christmas Bonus is also set to be maintained in Budget<\/a> 2027. The Christmas Bonus amounts to 100% of your standard weekly payment, with a minimum bonus of \u20ac20,<\/p>\n As many grapple with fuel and energy poverty, a cut in carbon tax on home-heating oil is also expected to be in the Budget. Reductions on excise duty for petrol and diesel are further expected to be extended until next spring.<\/p>\n Increased support for Ireland’s elderly population would be welcome news for many families, as research finds seniors are “going without basics daily” to get by during the cost-of-living<\/a> crisis. Elderly support charity ALONE’s latest report found that three in four older people (75%) have been affected by the rising cost of living this year, up from 44% in 2025.<\/p>\n More than half (58%) are struggling to pay bills, and almost half (45%) are going cold to save on energy costs. Meanwhile, three in ten older people living alone were found to be living below the poverty line: almost twice the national average. Older people the charity spoke to talked about going without heat, cutting back on food and delaying essential spending to make ends meet.<\/p>\n The planned measures to tackle home energy costs would also be a welcome boost as major supplies are set to up prices in the coming days. Both Bord G\u00e1is<\/a> and Energia<\/a> recently announced they were upping their rates – which will impact around 1,000,000 Irish customers combined.<\/p>\n With Budget 2027’s big reveal just days away, households across Ireland are hopeful for a range of new changes following recent hints and announcements. These include an increase to the Help-to-Buy scheme, a tax break for child minders and widening of income tax brackets.<\/p>\n