Live Updated 19 September 2026, 8pm
The grant and Budget news that matters to Irish families, in plain English. Every item names its source, and nothing marked Hinted or Reported has been decided.
Government sources accept a cut in tax on home heating oil as inevitable, the Irish Times reports. Officials warn that in the worst case a tank could cost €1,900 this winter, against €900 last year.
Source: Irish Times, 19 September 2026
A return of one-off energy credits, in some form, is now favoured by a number of Cabinet ministers, the Irish Times reports. No decision has been made. On 7 September the Taoiseach said he could not see the capacity for credits for everybody.
Source: Irish Times, 19 September 2026
Tánaiste Simon Harris is looking at increases to the Fuel Allowance that would reach a quarter of households, the Irish Times reports. It is €38 a week now. Budget increases are paid to people already getting it, so there is no reason to wait.
Source: Irish Times, 19 September 2026
Kildare, Louth, Offaly, Cavan and Sligo are not taking every new application this year for the Housing Adaptation Grant, the Mobility Aids Grant and Housing Aid for Older People. Most still take Priority 1 cases, the most urgent ones. Offaly reopens on 1 February 2027. Check your county page before you apply.
Source: Kildare County Council; Louth County Council, Chief Executive's report, 7 July 2026; Offaly County Council; Cavan County Council, 14 May 2026; Sligo County Council
The Irish Times finds it hard to see the main weekly rates rising by less than last year's €10. The Irish Examiner reported on 8 September that the Social Protection Minister had dampened expectations of another €10 rise. The State Pension (Contributory) is €299.30 a week now.
Source: Irish Times, 16 September 2026; Irish Examiner, 8 September 2026
The point where the 40% rate of income tax starts is set to rise from €44,000 to at least €46,000, the Irish Examiner reports. A move to €46,000 is worth €400 a year to people paying the higher rate.
Citizens Information confirms the 2026/27 season starts on Monday 28 September and runs for 28 weeks, at €38 a week. It is not backdated, so apply before it starts.
Source: Citizens Information, Fuel Allowance, page updated 14 September 2026
Our guide: the over 66 Fuel Allowance rule, explained
The Taoiseach says the Government is pushing very strongly to include a first cost of disability payment in this Budget. No amount has been given, and on 19 September he said it will be challenging to bring in.
Source: TheJournal.ie, 14 September 2026; Irish Times, 19 September 2026
Our guide: Disability Allowance rates and rules
People with big monthly medicine bills are unlikely to see the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold come down, the Irish Examiner reports. A shingles vaccine programme is expected to be funded.
Source: Irish Examiner, 11 September 2026
Our guide: who can get a medical card
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary says pensioners living on their own will be his focus in this Budget. That points to the Living Alone Increase, which is €22 a week now. No figure has been given.
Source: Irish Examiner, 8 September 2026
Our guide: how to claim the Living Alone Increase
An increase to Child Benefit is all but ruled out for this Budget, the Irish Examiner reports.
Source: Irish Examiner, 8 September 2026
Micheál Martin said he cannot see the capacity for energy credits for every household in this Budget.
Source: RTÉ, 7 September 2026
ALONE wants at least €15 a week more on the Living Alone Increase and €15 a week more on the State Pension, at least €10 a week more on the Fuel Allowance with the season back to 32 weeks, and €15 a month more on the Household Benefits Package. Age Action wants the pension up €20 a week.
Source: ALONE, 24 June 2026; Age Action, 21 August 2026
Our guide: the Household Benefits Package for over 70s
The Department of Housing has announced €175m for the rural water sector for 2027 to 2029, for group water schemes and communities not connected to Uisce Éireann.
Source: Department of Housing, 27 July 2026
Our guide: the council grant to fix a private well
The Government has set a package of €8.5 billion: €7 billion of extra spending and €1.5 billion of tax measures. The Budget will be read on Tuesday 6 October.
Source: gov.ie, Summer Economic Statement, 22 July 2026; RTÉ, 1 April 2026
Family Carers Ireland is asking for the Carer's Allowance means test to be abolished in full, and for a new Family Carer Payment.
Since July 2026 the weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance is €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple, up from €625 and €1,250. More carers now qualify.
Source: Department of Social Protection, 1 July 2026
Our guide: Carer's Allowance in plain English
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