Budget: Fuel allowance payments to be expanded and double child benefit at Christmas 

Currently, anyone over the age of 70 is permitted to receive the fuel allowance, which is paid out at a weekly rate of €33

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said that she did not want to see 'old people in their home afraid to turn on the heating'. 

Fuel allowance payments are to be expanded to anyone over the age of 66 in the upcoming budget, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has said.

Ms Humphreys indicated that changes in the upcoming budget would be a mix of both universal and targeted, while also signalling that parents are in for a double child benefit payment this Christmas.