Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. Budget 2023 contained significant responsive measures to support households, public and community services and businesses, with spending measures of €4.5 billion. As part of this budget, a winter cost-of-living package for households, costing €2.2 billion, was announced by the Government. It included the following: a double payment of weekly social welfare scheme payments in October; a fuel allowance lump sum of €400; a once-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of the carer's support grant and people on the disability allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension; a €200 living-alone allowance lump sum; a €500 working family payment lump sum; a double child benefit payment; a once-off reduction in the student contribution fee of €1,000 for undergraduates and one third for apprentices; a €1,000 increase to the postgraduate tuition fee contribution grant; a double payment to those eligible for Student Universal Support Ireland maintenance grants and a once-off payment of €500 for Science Foundation Ireland and Irish Research Council PhD researchers; €8 million for the student assistance fund; and three €200 electricity credits, with two instalments due in the new year. In addition, a Christmas bonus will be paid to eligible social protection recipients in December.

In recognition of the unprecedented rise in energy bills for businesses and public services, the Government introduced several further support measures. It provided €340 million this year in support for public and community services. It will introduce a €200 million Ukraine emergency response scheme, helping firms facing liquidity issues as a result of increased energy costs. It is to be administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We are introducing a temporary business energy support scheme, providing up to €1.2 billion to support businesses encountering increased energy costs. The focus of the Government is now on implementing all these measures, plus a range of others announced in the budget less than two months ago.

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