Increase in fuel allowance likely to form part of Budget 2022
An increase in the fuel allowance and a widening of the eligibility criteria for the payment are likely to form part of tomorrow’s Budget.
The final details will be signed-off on at a meeting of Cabinet, ahead of an announcement in the Dáil.
After last year’s Budget was overshadowed by the Covid-19 crisis, this year it will take centre stage once again as one of the key set pieces in the political calendar.
The finishing touches were being applied over the weekend to the package which will include €1.5 billion of new measures.
A third of this will be allocated for tax changes and €1 billion for new spending.
Much of that will be taken up with welfare increases, which will see €5 added to the State pension and a similar sum to weekly welfare payments like job seekers, carers and disability allowances.
In education there is likely to be 1,000 new SNA positions announced, as well as a broadening of the DEIS scheme to include more schools.
An increase in the student grant is likely to be on the cards which will be the first in ten years.
It is understood that Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin has secured €100m worth of new investment.
This will focus on marketing Ireland as a destination, as well as reinvigorating festivals and nightlife to boost the tourism sector which has been so severely hit by the pandemic.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said this Budget would be progressive.
He added it would seek to improve living standards as well as work towards both economic and social recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Article Source – Increase in fuel allowance likely to form part of Budget 2022 – RTE – Mary Regan
