Budget 2026: Social Protection package includes €1.15 billion for new measures (gov.ie)

• Child Support Payment: +€16/week for children 12+, +€8/week for under 12s
• Carer's Allowance income disregard rises to €1,000/€2,000
• Fuel Allowance: +€5 to €38/week, extended to Working Family Payment
• MyFutureFund auto-enrolment pension starts January 2026

"The Irish government announced a €1.15 billion Social Protection package for 2026, including the largest-ever increase in Child Support Payments (€16/week for children 12+, €8/week for under 12s), a 60% increase in Carer's Allowance income disregard to €1,000 (single) and €2,000 (couple), and a €5/week increase in Fuel Allowance to €38. Working Family Payment recipients become eligible for Fuel Allowance. The Christmas Bonus will be paid to 1.5 million recipients. Total spending reaches €28.9 billion. Auto-enrolment retirement scheme MyFutureFund starts January 2026 with a €154 million state contribution."