Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has cast doubts over the continuation of cost of living supports in Ireland.
Details about next week's cost of living package suggest that additional child benefit could be on the cards, as well as wider eligibility for the fuel allowance. However, these supports might expire despite ongoing uncertainty about energy and fuel prices.
Additionally, Finance Minister Michael McGrath warned that next week’s package will be the “final” Government intervention ahead of this autumn’s Budget. Government talks regarding cost of living payments remain ongoing, but the Irish Mirror understands that crunch talks scheduled to go ahead today will not take place.
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Mr McGrath said in Brussels: "From my perspective as Minister for Finance, it is important that whatever we do is affordable, that we manage taxpayers' money well, that we make decisions to get the best possible result from the use of public money and that whatever interventions we make in the next week or so represent the final intervention in advance of the next Budget in the autumn."
The Taoiseach echoed this assessment, later adding that cost of living payments could not go on forever. The comments coincide with mounting pressures on the government to extend cost of living supports, set to expire at the end of the month.
While energy prices are currently falling, unexpected weather events, such as cold snaps, could drive prices back up. However, it is expected that double or lump sum social welfare payments remain on the government's agenda.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has also called on the government to retain the hospitality sector's VAT rate at 9%. Current plans suggest that the rate will rise back to 13.5%, which will come as a blow to many struggling businesses.
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