Minister Canney welcomes Budget measures supporting older people, people with disabilities, carers, families and rural communities
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 a range of measures in Budget 2027 which will provide additional support for older people, people with disabilities, carers, families, farmers and rural communities.
Minister Canney, who has been central to negotiations over the past few weeks, said the Budget contains a number of important improvements to weekly payments and income thresholds, alongside targeted measures for rural communities.
“This Budget delivers practical increases for people who depend on our social protection system, while also providing additional supports for families, farmers and rural communities.
Key measures include:
- €10 increase in weekly social welfare rates, including pensions and disability payments.
- €500 Cost of Disability lump sum for existing disability scheme recipients.
- Fuel Allowance increased by €5 per week, with the income threshold for a single pensioner increasing from €534 to €640.80.
- Living Alone Allowance increased by €3 per week.
- Working Family Payment income thresholds increased by €30 per week.
- Carer’s Allowance income thresholds increased by €150 for a single person and €300 for a couple, to €1,150 and €2,300 respectively.
- The earnings disregard for Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will increase by €10, from €165 to €175 per week.
- The Rural Dweller Pilot under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) will be expanded to 500 places.
- The amount of income from agri-environmental schemes disregarded in the means test for Farm Assist and the State Pension (Non-Contributory) will increase from €5,000 to €7,500.
- VAT on non-oral medicines for livestock will be removed, providing support to the farming sector.
- Childcare costs for parents will be reduced.
- The Help to Buy Scheme will be enhanced by €5,000, providing additional assistance to people seeking to purchase their first home.
- A €15 million support package for rural pubs.
Minister Canney also welcomed the provision of €6.5 million for the new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme, which falls under his remit. Minister Canney and Department of Transport officials developed the framework for the VAS in recent months, working with stakeholders to establish the core principles and parameters of the Scheme.
The new scheme will support drivers and passengers who require adaptations to enter, exit or operate a motor vehicle. It will be open for applications early next year.
Minister Canney referenced the enhanced energy grants announced last week, including a new €2,000 boiler scrappage grant, a €600 home battery grant and increased supports for solar PV and insulation.
He said the enhanced grants will help households, including those at risk of energy poverty, to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce energy costs.
He also pointed to the recent decision in relation to the ACRES Geese and Swans action, following his engagement with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.
Force majeure is being applied due to the extreme drought conditions experienced this summer, meaning the requirement to vacate the relevant land from 1 October will not apply.
“Taken together, these measures recognise the particular needs of rural communities and will put additional money into the pockets of pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, working families and others who need support.”