Plan to raise Fuel Allowance by 200 as social welfare hikes in budget to target cost of living for most vulnerable

"Tánaiste says there may be 'degree of price gouging' by energy firms as bills increase again"

"Extra €7 per week in budget to cover household power bills and payment eligibility widened"

"The Fuel Allowance will go up by about €200 in the budget to help pensioners and people with disabilities to cope with rising energy costs, after Tánaiste Simon Harris said energy companies may be 'gouging' customers."

Energy bills are rising again, prompting Budget 2026 measures to ease household costs. The Fuel Allowance will increase by about €200 to help pensioners and people with disabilities cope with higher energy expenses. An extra €7 per week in the budget will cover household power bills and payment eligibility will be widened to reach more households. The Working Family Payment will be increased as part of social welfare changes aimed at tackling child poverty. Tánaiste Simon Harris warned that energy companies may be engaging in a degree of price gouging as bills rise.

Read at Independent