Full list of 41 changes to money and benefits that came into effect in Ireland in January
There are a number of changes to money and benefits that came into effect in Ireland in January and it's important to know what they are
January doesn't just ring in a new year, it also heralds the onset of numerous cost of living changes.
From significant boosts for thousands on social welfare to certain drivers facing hikes - nearly everyone will feel the pinch in some way.
But there's been some good news. Here's what you need to know about what is changing from this month.
Social welfare increases
It was decided that the maximum weekly rate of Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Paternity Benefit and Parent’s Benefit will increase by €15, while all other weekly social welfare payments will increase by €12 with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment, reports RSVP.
The Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) will be renamed the Child Support Payment. The weekly rate will increase by €4 from €46 to €50, for children under 12 years of age. It will increase by €8 from €54 to €62 for children aged 12 years and over.
The Domiciliary Care Allowance will go from €340 per month to €360 per month, while the Carer’s Support Grant, which is paid once a year, is now worth €2,000 instead of €1,850.
Here are all the payments being increased by €12, with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment:
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
Jobseeker's Benefit
Jobseeker's Allowance
One-Parent Family Payment
Health and Safety Benefit
Farm Assist
Deserted Wife's Benefit
Deserted Wife's Allowance
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Illness Benefit
Invalidity Pension
Disability Allowance
Blind Pension
Injury Benefit
Disablement Benefit
Death Benefit Scheme
Carer's Benefit
Carer's Allowance
Guardian’s payment
While the payments listed below will not be increased at all:
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
Child Benefit
Fuel Allowance
Living Alone Increase
Island Increase
Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant
Working Family Payment
Working Family Payment income limits
The income limit for one child will go from €645 to €705
The income limit for two children will go from €746 to €806
The income limit for three children will go from €847 to €907
The income limit for four children will go from €938 to €998
The income limit for five children will go from €1,064 to €1,124
The income limit for six children will go from €1,180 to €1,240
The income limit for seven children will go from €1,316 to €1,376
The income limit for eight children or more will go from €1,412 to €1,472
Fuel Allowance
The Fuel Allowance means test disregard for people aged 66 and over will be €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple.
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance.
Employment programmes
People on Community Employment (CE), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme will get an increase of €12 per week. People on the Work Placement Experience Programme will get an increase of €24 per week.
Means test
If you are getting the State Pension (Non-Contributory), Disability Allowance or Blind Pension, the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase from €190,500 to €337,500.
Small benefit exemption
Employees can get some vouchers or other non-cash benefits each year without paying tax on them. From 1 January 2025, there will be an increase in the maximum exemption, from €1,000 to €1,500. This can include up to 5 non-cash benefits per year (an increase from two benefits per year).
Minimum wage
The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour from 1 January 2025.
Universal Social Charge
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3% from 1 January 2025. The entry point for this rate will increase by €1,622, in line with the increase to the national minimum wage, so it will apply to income between €27,382 and €70,044.
VAT
VAT registration thresholds will increase to €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services from 1 January 2025.
Retirement Relief
The upper age limit for Retirement Relief will increase from 65 to 70 from 1 January 2025. If a child or children sell assets worth over €10 million within 12 years of receiving them, a clawback of the relief will be applied. However, if the assets are retained for more than 12 years, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) will be fully waived.
Heat pumps
The VAT charged for installing a heat pump will be reduced from the standard rate at 23% to the 9% reduced rate from 1 January 2025.
Irish Life Health
Irish Life Health increased prices by an average of 3.7% from January. New customers saw the changes from the first of the month, while existing customers will be affected when their renewal is due.
Tolls
There were increases to some tolls from January 1 2025. This includes a €1 increase on the Dublin Port Tunnel toll for southbound traffic at peak morning times.
You can find out more about these increases from the Transport Infrastructure Ireland here.
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
