Welfare bonus, fuel rebates and €200 energy credit to be targeted in early budget

Ministers are seeking to identify “early and quick” measures which can be deployed long before the end of the year.

Extending current fuel rebates beyond budget day, another round of the €200 energy credit, and an autumn welfare bonus will all be part of the €6.7bn budget package to be approved in principle today.

The increase in spending — up from the €4.7bn that was promised in April — comes as the Government struggles to offset runaway inflation and rising prices.