Budget 2015: Spending increases for children, elderly, social-welfare recipients and education

Among the spending measures being offered by the Government for 2015, as announced by Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin are:

:: Water – With the country introducing charges for water since October 1 this year a payment of €100 a year is being offered for those on household benefits packages and the free fuel allowance scheme to help with the new utility bill benefiting 653,000 households;

:: Children – A €5 a month increase in child benefit from January with plans to add another €5 in 2016.

:: Elderly – A €9 per week increase to the living alone allowance to benefit 180,000 older people;

:: Dole – A 25% Christmas bonus payment for social welfare recipients this year and a new Back to Work Family Dividend will be introduced allowing families to claim the €29.80 a child for one year after a parent’s return to work and half of the payment in the second year.

:: Housing – A €2.2bn three-year fund for social housing to build 6,700 homes;

:: Education – 1,700 new full time posts including 920 teachers, 480 resource staff and 365 special needs assistants.