Pensioners and social welfare recipients are reportedly being considered for a special one-off payment this autumn to help with the cost of living.
The Irish Independent reports that the government is considering a double payment, similar to the Christmas Bonus, could be given a few months early.
The measure would be announced on Budget day which is expected in September.
It comes as a startling 64% of Irish people feel they are on the breadline, an Irish Mirror cost of living survey has revealed.
READ MORE: 'Middle Ireland screwed' in recent months as new cost of living survey published
Ireland’s estimated annual inflation hit 9.6% in June in new figures released by statistics agency Eurostat.
Our nationwide survey of 2,300 people have shown 64% feel they are living in relative poverty.
Relative poverty is defined as living in circumstances where you can't afford to participate in society and benefit from the activities and experiences most people take for granted in life.
It can be experienced by those in employment, when it is termed "in-work poverty”.
More than half (52%) of those who do not think they are already in relative poverty feel they are at risk of being pushed into it.
The majority of people surveyed (64%) have a household disposable income of less than €43,500 per year.
Of those who said they “live in relative poverty”, 21% had a disposable household income of more than half the average disposable income per household of €43,500.
Of those who said they “felt at risk of relative poverty”, 47% had a greater household disposable income than average.
Our Mirror survey also revealed:
Eight out of 10 Irish people are struggling to pay their bills
More than half are under pressure with their mortgage repayments
64% eating less healthily to save money
58% spending less money on their children
88% staying at home more / stopping social activities
39% have asked family & friends for financial help
People paying on average €701 per month for childcare
READ NEXT:
Lidl shopper is €500,000 richer after picking up life-changing EuroMillions win
Garda knocked to the ground at checkpoint in hit-and-run outside Elton John's Cork concert
Irish tourist, 20, rushed to hospital after plunging from hotel in Santa Ponsa
Under-threat Mr Flashy facing court over handling booze stolen from popular Dublin restaurant
Tributes to 'kind' Irishman, 17, who died while walking the road in Kildare tragedy
