{"id":23051,"date":"2021-09-13T10:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-13T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23051"},"modified":"2021-09-13T11:01:16","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T15:01:16","slug":"tanaiste-increases-in-pensions-possible-in-budget-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23051","title":{"rendered":"T\u00e1naiste: Increases In Pensions Possible In Budget 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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T\u00e1naiste Leo Varadkar (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Increases in the State pension and social welfare payments are among some of areas being considered by the Cabinet ahead of next month\u2019s Budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leo Varadkar pointed out that there has been no rise in the State pension for a number of years, and added that he wants to return to a \u201cnorm\u201d in the Budget, where increases are made to the pension and social payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at the Fine Gael think-in in Co Meath, the T\u00e1naiste refused to disclose any figures under consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the measures expected to be included in Budget 2022 are a tax package for middle income earners, as well as welfare and pension packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Varadkar said there will also be financial aid packages for businesses, particularly sectors that have not yet fully reopened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the costs will be negotiated between now and Budget Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to mention any numbers because I imagine both Heather (Humphreys) and Michael (McGrath) would string me up if I did, but that\u2019s going have to be negotiated between now and Budget Day,\u201d the Fine Gael leader said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut the reason why Fine Gael is calling for that pension welfare package to be in the Budget is because there hasn\u2019t been an increase in the State pension now for a number of years, hasn\u2019t been increased with the basic weekly payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it was acceptable at a time when the cost of living wasn\u2019t rising; it now is \u2013 we\u2019ve seen a return to inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnyone who pulls into the petrol station, anyone who goes to supermarket will tell you that the cost of living is rising again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are a number of priorities for the Budget. One obviously is to reduce the deficit, which we need to do, but not too quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also said there will be additional investments in public services and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to put any figures out at this stage,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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