Child benefit €10 rise call
MARTIN ALSO EYES PENSION LIFT
THE Tanaiste said he wants to see a €10 increase in child benefit as well as a pension increase and another round of winter energy credits in the next Budget.
Micheal Martin set out a range of measures he wants brought in that would benefit parents, householders and pensioners.
The Fianna Fail leader wants to increase the rate of child benefit, which is currently €140 per child every month.
He is also seeking a €12 increase in the state pension, and said the Government will consider another round of energy credits in this year’s Budget, but said it would not be “in the same order” as the last payment.
He made the comments hours after his keynote speech brought an end to the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin.
Mr Martin denied the potential giveaways are an attempt to throw money at the electorate ahead of a general election.
“I think given how well we manage the public finances and the economy, I think it’s legitimate to signal to people where we intend to go in the next budget, but also where we tend to go for the next five years,” Mr Martin told RTE’s The Week in
Politics.
“We’re also putting huge amounts of money aside in the Future Ireland Fund, and also in the Infrastructure and Climate Fund. These funds will provide for generations in terms of pensions, healthcare costs as we’re living longer, and so forth.
“Also in terms of infrastructure, that we will avoid the stop start nature of infrastructure spending that we’ve had historically.”
Details
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath also set out details of a tax package, including a measure that would see the first €20,000 of a person’s income exempt from income tax.
Mr Martin pointed to a rise in the overall income tax and taxation revenue in the first quarter of 2024, saying he is “entitled” to set out the various options for the Budget in autumn.
“There will be a summer economic statement which will give the overall frame,” he added. “If you look at last year’s budget, it probably will be somewhat similar.”