Welfare boost, rent credit, and new GP cards in budget for 'uncertain and difficult times'

From pensions and energy to health and education, the €10bn Budget 2023 is intended to get Ireland through 'very uncertain and difficult times', Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated last night. Stock picture

All social welfare weekly payments will increase by €12 and renters will receive tax credits worth €1,000 in today’s giveaway budget.

An additional 430,000 people will become eligible to receive a GP visit card, meaning for the first time more than half the population — 2.5m citizens — will have either a GP visit card or a full medical card.