Minister Canney welcomes over €1 billion in Social Protection increases taking effect from today
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.