115. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the added measures his Department hope to introduce in Budget 2027 to help families with the cost of living. [67635/26]

The Government and I are keenly aware of financial pressures on families and children, particularly in relation to child poverty and the impact of cost-of-living increases in recent years.  That is why additional measures were introduced in Budgets 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Budgets 2024 and 2025 at the time were the largest social welfare packages in the history of the State, highlighting the Government’s determination to drive down poverty rates for children.  Budget 2026 aimed to move away from one-off payments towards permanent, targeted payments to support the most vulnerable.  A €320 million social welfare package for children included the largest ever increase in the Child Support Payment, increased thresholds for the Working Family Payment, and the extension of Fuel Allowance to those on the Working Family Payment.  In addition the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was extended to two and three year olds.

Non-income measures, including investment in Hot School Meals and free schoolbooks, and measures in relation to other key areas that impact poverty and the cost of living, notably housing, education, childcare and health, are also an important part of our focus to tackle child poverty and to support struggling families.

Given the economic uncertainty, Budget 2027 is being framed in a difficult and challenging environment, but I intend to secure a Social Protection Budget package that targets available resources to support those most in need.