'Vulnerable left out in the cold'

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

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

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

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

Meanwhile, the Government has announced a weekly increase of €10 per person in a range of social protection payments from 2026, including the State pension, disability allowance, carer's allowance, jobseeker's allowance and one-parent family payment.

The increases, which apply from January 2026, 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 rise to €254 per week.

A double payment Christmas bonus for long-term social welfare schemes recipients will be paid again this year.