This guide from the Irish Government provides a high-level overview of Budget 2023. It aims to explain how money will be raised and spent in 2023.
Social Welfare
- Weekly social welfare rates will be increased by €12 for working age recipients.
- There will also be a €12 increase in weekly payments for pensioners.
- The Working Family Payment threshold will increase by €40.
- There will be a €2 increase in the weekly rate for a qualified child qualified child.
- There will be an increase in eligibility for Fuel Allowance.
- A €500 lump sum for families availing of the Working Family Payment , a €500 lump sum for carers , a €500 cost of disability payment and a €20 increase in the domiciliary care allowance for sick children.
Health
- All inpatient hospital charges will be abolished.
- GP visit cards will be provided to those on or below the median income (340,000 additional people).
- There will be a €2 increase in the weekly rate for a Qualified Child.
- The Drug Payment Scheme threshold will remain at the lower rate of €80 in 2023.
- Funding will be provided to provide access to IVF treatments.
- Free contraception will be available for all women aged between 16 and 30.
Childcare and Education
- There will be a Free School Book Scheme for primary school pupils from autumn 2023.
- Over 660 additional mainstream teachers, over 1,190 SNAs and 680 special education teachers will be provided.
- The National Childcare Scheme hourly subsidy is to increase from 50c to €1.40.
- There will be a €500 increase in post-graduate contribution grant for eligible families.
- Over 4,800 additional places on craft and consortia-led apprenticeships and 4,000 places on craft apprenticeship programmes will be supported.
Housing
- Funding will be made available to support 8,800 new HAP tenancies and 800 RAS tenancies.
- 9,100 new-build social homes, 5,500 new affordable homes for sale and rent and 6,500 new social homes will be supported.
- Funding to deliver 37,000 home energy upgrades.
Other Measures
- 1,000 new Garda and 430 Garda staff will be provided.
- The 20% fare reduction on public transport will be extended to the end of 2023.
- A €1.2 billion package of supports for businesses hit by soaring energy costs.
