Coalition leaders set to finalise cost-of-living plans
Senior coalition figures will meet this evening to finalise plans on cost-of-living measures, with the final package due to be signed off by the full Cabinet tomorrow.
It is expected that some temporary supports that were in place will have to be unwound.
The three coalition party leaders will be joined by the Ministers for Finance, Public Expenditure and Social Protection.
Over the weekend, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys signalled her intention to provide further lump sum payments for vulnerable groups such as older people, those with disabilities, carers and working families.
However, the fine detail of this and other measures has yet to be finalised.
A review of the temporary business energy support scheme – to improve access to it – is also under way.
However, the Government is likely to ease back on some temporary supports and there is potential for a tapering off of excise duty reductions on fuel.
A question mark also remains over the future of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality industry and on electricity and gas bills.
Article Source: Coalition leaders set to finalise cost-of-living plans – Tommy Meskill – RTE