The €8.5 billion package was announced in the Dáil by the Finance and Public Expenditure Minister
Reaction is continuing following the announcement of yesterday's Budget for 2027.
€1.65 billion will allow for tax reductions.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Agriculture Minister and Kildare South TD Martin Heydon says the budget aims to support people with cost-of-living struggles:
"This budget is about supporting people who work, people who need protection the most, people who are vulnerable, people with young families, the real focus is to help people with the cost-of-living, particularly measures that provide certainty in the year ahead.
"Making work pay has been a clear focus for us," he added, citing increasing tax credits by €125 as well as the change to the higher rate of income tax thresholds from €44,000 to €46,500.
The Living Alone Allowance will rise by €3 per week, rising to €25, while social welfare payments also rose by €10.
Minister Heydon defended the move, remarking that "on it's own, any one measure can look small, but that €3 is an increase, and will bring the living alone allowance to €25".
He also emphasised the importance of supporting those living alone amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The fuel excise cuts have been extended to February, with the Minister also introducing a halt to any carbon tax increases, as well as a fuel income support scheme from April to July as well as from August until the end of the year.
"I understand people are concerned with the cost-of-living, I would say the interventions here across the board are ahead of inflation, but that's not for a minute suggesting that Government can, with a magic wand, take away the pain that the war in the Middle east has caused."
Also speaking on the show was Children's Minister Norma Foley, welcoming the cap of €550 on childcare fees.
The cap only relates to service providers receiving "core" funding from the State - meaning 7% of providers will fall outside the limit.
Minister Foley insisted providers always have the opportunity to "come in to" core funding "every single day".
The full interviews can be heard below:
Two Men Chased In Kildare Town By Teenager Carrying Knife
Kfm Obituary Notices
Uisce Éireann Working To Restore Water Supply In Allen
Four Vehicles "Extensively Damaged" After Athy Road Collision
€1.1M Announced For New Jigsaw Service In Newbridge
Kildare Singer To Join Women Impacted By Cancer For UN Day Concert
Novice Driver Arrested After Being Detected At 171km/h On M4 In Kildare
