A social welfare package of €2.7bn will highlight one of the biggest budgets in the history of the State.
Over-70s will be allowed to bring a friend with them for free on public transport under last minute plans.
Coalition party leaders signed off on the measures late last night ahead of a Cabinet meeting this morning.
In Jack Chambers' first budget as Finance Minister and the last of this coalition there is no shortage of cash to spend.
“We’ve chosen not to spend billions of euro that we have to protect our future”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris rejects suggestions #Budget24 is a ‘giveaway budget’.
Follow our along LIVE throughout the day with up-to-the-minute coverage on https://t.co/FJi0pcpC2V.— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) October 1, 2024
An unprecedented social welfare package is highlighted by €1.5bn in one-off payments - including two double social welfare payments and two double Child Benefit payments by Christmas.
One of the last measures agreed was a new pensioners pass allowing over-70s to bring a friend or loved one with them for free on public transport.
Core social welfare rates will rise by €12 a week while electricity credits totaling €250 will be paid in November and December.
The Green Party has secured a €420 baby boost payment of Child Benefit to new parents and increases to maternity and paternity benefit.
Health
The budget will also include the rollout of free Hormone Replacement Therapy and an expansion of the publicly funded IVF scheme.
There will also be an extra €30m in funding for new medicines.
The rollout of free HRT will begin in January of next year – with the State set to fund the cost of medicines, patches and other devices such as coils.
The expansion of the publicly funded IVF scheme will see couples who already have a child able to apply.
Donor-assisted IVF is also set to be included from 2025 with changes in the law and plans to establish a new Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA).
Taxes and others
The budget will also include free schoolbooks for all children, 1,500 new SNAs and up to 1,000 new Gardaí.
There will also be more staff recruited for the International Protection Office.
On the tax side Universal Social Charge (USC) and income tax will be cut but the VAT on the hospitality sector is staying at 13.5%.
Duty will rise on cigarettes and there will be a new vaping tax but alcohol is being left alone.
Minister Chambers has previously said any such vape tax would increase over the coming years.
While plans for the Apple tax money will also be revealed at 1pm today.
Join us live throughout the day as we bring you up-to-the-minute updates from Leinster House as Budget 2025 is announced.
