A COST-OF-LIVING PACKAGE will be contained in October’s bumper budget, Taoiseach Simon Harris said today.

Finance Minister Jack Chambers has already confirmed that any one-off measures in Budget 2025 will be on a much lower scale than seen in previous years. 

The Taoiseach said today that the new cost-of-living package will help families and householders this year, as people are “still financially hurting”.

Harris said the Government is looking at measures to help people “in the here and now”.

“In relation to the Budget, yes, there will be a cost-of-living package this calendar year,” he added.

“I think it’s very important that there is one,” he added. 

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“While we can point to many indicators that show that inflation is very significantly reducing, it’s entirely true, it doesn’t take away from the fact that that hasn’t been felt yet at homes, businesses, farms, right across Ireland.

“Therefore, I do think it’s important that we look at a time when the country is doing economically well, and what more practical measures we can take to help people in the here and now.

“Obviously, the composition of the package, the size of it, and all of that will be a matter for engagement across government, and will be announced on Budget Day, on the first of October.”

Lump sum payments in the last two budgets have proved popular among householders, which included fuel allowances and double payments for child benefit. A double child benefit has already been indicated by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.