Budget 2023: Humphreys says €20 rise in social welfare payments averted

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A €20 increase in social welfare payments has been ruled out, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has indicated.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling of the budget on Tuesday, Ms Humphreys said that agreement around the social welfare provisions has not yet been reached, and talks will continue.

Saturday saw thousands of people take to the street in Dublin calling for action to ease the cost-of-living crisis.

According to Ms. Humphreys, a comprehensive set of policies will be implemented to reduce the pressures that people are experiencing as a result of the rising cost of living, and social assistance payments will also increase.

When asked about the requested €20 rise to core social welfare payments, Ms. Humphreys said on RTÉ's This Week that such an increase would cost more than €1.5 billion, adding that this would leave less money for targeted initiatives like an increase in the fuel allowance.

The €20 rise in social welfare payments, according to her, would be "extremely ambitious."

Ms. Humphreys continued, "No matter what we do, it will never be enough.

A double child benefit payment is being considered, according to Ms. Humphreys.

Hildegarde Naughton, a minister of state in the Department of Transport, stated that the budget for the following week will include a "significant intervention."

She said on RTÉ's The Week In Politics, "We realise that circumstances are tight, people are experiencing high energy bills... there are significant demands on people right throughout the nation."

This budget will prioritise safeguarding families and the most vulnerable individuals while also guaranteeing that workers can keep more of their own hard-earned money.