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 Working Family Payment hike among social welfare measures used to tackle child poverty 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."

"The social welfare package in Budget 2026 will also increase the Working Family Payment to tackle child poverty."

There are concerns that energy companies may be engaging in price gouging as household bills rise again. Budget 2026 provides an extra €7 per week to help cover household power bills and widens eligibility for that payment. The Fuel Allowance will increase by about €200 to assist pensioners and people with disabilities with rising energy costs. The social welfare package raises the Working Family Payment to help tackle child poverty. These measures aim to reduce immediate financial pressure on vulnerable households facing higher energy bills.

Read at Independent