'VULNERABLE OUT IN COLD'

Opposition slams lack of cost of living payments

- KEITH FALKINER

THE Government has been accused of abandoning the most vulnerable after unveiling a Budget with no energy credits or one-off cost of living payments.

Despite an overall increase of €2billion in the Social Protection spend, opposition parties say it doesn't far enough to tackle the ongoing cost of living crisis.

With no blanket energy credits like previous years, ministers instead vowed to take a more targeted approach by extending the fuel allowance to more people on social welfare payments.

It means the weekly fuel allowance rate will go up by €5 and was extended to those eligible for the working family payment.

Meanwhile, the Government announced next year will see a weekly increase of €10 per person in a range of social protection payments.

These will include the State pension, disability allowance, carer's allowance, jobseeker's allowance and one-parent family payment. The hikes, which apply from January, means the noncontributory State pension will rise to €288 per week for people aged 66 to 79 and €298 for those over 80.

Jobseeker's allowance (for those aged over 25) and disability allowance will both go up to €254 per week.

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