Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the commencement of over €1 billion in Social Protection payment increases taking effect from today, secured as part of Budget 2026.

The measures, announced by the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, have a total January cost of €1.093 billion and will support pensioners, families, carers and people with disabilities across the State.

The measures coming into effect from today include:

• A €10 increase in the maximum rate of all core weekly Social Protection payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults, benefitting over 1.5 million people.

• Record increases in Child Support Payments, with weekly rates rising by €16, or 26 per cent, to €78 for children aged 12 and over, and by €8, or 16 per cent, to €58 for children under 12, supporting over 330,000 children.

• A €60 per week increase in Working Family Payment income thresholds for all family sizes, benefitting over 48,000 families, with additional households expected to qualify as a result of the change.

• A €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance, bringing the rate to €38 per week, benefitting over 414,000 households.

• A €20 increase in the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance, bringing the payment to €380 per month, benefitting over 73,000 children with severe disabilities.

Welcoming the measures, Minister Canney said these changes represent a significant investment in people, with over €1 billion in additional Social Protection supports coming into effect from today, providing tangible assistance to families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities at a time when household costs remain a key concern.

Minister Canney noted that the January increases build on the €370 million Christmas Bonus paid in December, with further Budget 2026 measures due to commence later this year.