Laois Minister welcomes electricity, pension and welfare measures

People across Laois are set to benefit from financial supports introduced to help with increases in the cost of living. 

Minister of State, Sean Fleming, welcomes the Government’s cost-of-living supports to help people in the new year.

“There will be two new €150 electricity credits, one in January and another one in March, to every household in Laois. Many households already received a separate €150 electricity credit before Christmas and those households who did not receive this will receive an additional €150 credit in 2024,” said Minister Fleming.

People who rent a house or apartment will be eligible for a €750 rent tax credit in 2024. The USC rate will reduce from 4.5% to 4% in January. This is the first reduction in USC in five years, Minister Fleming explained. 

“From January, there will be a €12 increase in the state pension, to help older people with increased costs. It is also important to support our older people, who have given so much to the State and that we recognise this with a liveable pension,” said Minister Fleming. 

He said the maximum rate of all weekly social protection payments will increase by €12 with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment, from January.

“The weekly rate for a qualified child will increase by €4. It will increase from €42 to €46, for children under 12 years of age. It will increase from €50 to €54 for children aged 12 years and over from January 2024,” Minister Fleming continued. 

He said the Working Family Payment income limits will increase by €54 across all family sizes from January 2024.

The Carer's Allowance income disregard will increase to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple from June 2024, Minister Fleming concluded.