Budget 2025: 'Baby boost' of €420 for newborns, two energy credits, and carer's grant rise

The proposed 'baby boost' is a special one-off payment of €280 paid following the birth of a child on top of the existing €140, totalling €420. Picture: iStock

Families, pensioners, carers and workers will all get a slice of a €2bn cost-of-living package and €2.7bn in extra social protection spending in a pre-election Budget splurge.

Coalition leaders signed off on the budget late on Monday, with core welfare rates agreed to rise by €12 across the board, as well as two double child benefit payments before Christmas, an increase of €150 to €2,000 in the Carer's Grant, and two €125 energy credits.