A total of over €1 billion in social protection payments are being given out as of January 1st this year, with many payments receiving increases under Budget 2025.
The measures in effect from this week include:
a €12 increase in the maximum rate of all core weekly payments, with proportionate increases for Qualified Adult dependents, which will impact over 1.4 million people
€15 increase to weekly rates for Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Paternity Benefit and Parent’s Benefit, and a €24 increase in the Work Placement Experience Programme
Working Family Payment thresholds to increase by €60 per week for all family sizes
an increase of €20 in the monthly rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance bringing the payment to €360 per month
up to €8 increase in the weekly Child Support Payment (formerly Increase for a Qualified Child payment) in respect of children of social welfare recipients, bringing the payment to €50 per week for children under 12 and €62 per week for children aged 12 and over
These measures are separate to the lump-sum payments of €1.4 billion that were rolled out as part of Budget 2025 before Christmas to assist families with the cost of living.
“This was my last Budget as Minister for Social Protection, and again this was the largest Social Protection Budget package in the history of the State,” said outgoing Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
“These measures are in addition to the series of Lump Sum Payments issued in recent weeks. These lump-sum payments are designed to put more money back in people’s pockets, especially over the Christmas period, which can be particularly stressful for families, trying to get the presents for the children and some Christmas treats.”
Meanwhile,Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was “so pleased” with the measures.
“I am so pleased to announce that over €1 billion worth of payment increases are to come into effect from today,” he said yesterday, adding: “The increases will benefit hundreds of thousands of families right across the country, including our carers, pensioners, lone parents and people with disabilities.”
He further noted that the Child Support Payment and the Working Family Payment threshold increases are “vital” to “help to reduce child poverty”.