Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

170. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if reported plans (details supplied) to not have a cost-of-living package in Budget 2026 will affect existing supports such as the one-off social welfare bonuses in Budget 2025 and the domestic energy credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5421/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The inflationary shock which started in 2022 was the most significant episode of inflation experienced in Ireland since the mid-1980s. Aware of the challenges that inflation poses for households and businesses, Government provided a series of temporary and permanent cost of living packages. The purpose of the supports was to ameliorate exceptionally high energy bills as a result of market volatility through once-off energy credits, and to offer temporary and targeted financial support to households and businesses while permanent income caught-up to higher prices.

Government adopted a two-pronged fiscal policy to allow a responsive approach to key economic and social challenges. The policy of separating out temporary and permanent spending had three main objectives:

1. it ensured the adequate provision of supports for external challenges while continuing investment in core public services;
2. it provided transparency on the costs of responding to external challenges; and
3. it allowed funding to be provided for specific, temporary purposes that can be withdrawn when no longer needed.