Welfare: Child benefit will increase by €6 per month for the first and second child in a family, bringing the total to €166, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen announced today.
Mr Cowen said the benefit for third and subsequent children will increase by €8 per month, bringing it to €203.
Mr Cowen announced the State contributory pension for older people will increase by €14 per week from €209.30 to €223.30. The non-contributory (old-age) pension will rise by €12 per week, bringing it to €212.
The Minister also Mr Cowen said the Government "recognises the huge contribution to society made by carers" and he increased carers' allowance and benefit by €14 per week.
"I am also raising the income disregard for carers by €25 for a couple to €665. I increased the Respite Care Grant last year from €1,200 to €1,500. This year I am increasing it by a further €200 to €1,700," he said.
All other personal weekly social welfare rates will be increased by €12 per week. This will bring the lowest full adult social welfare rate to €197.80 per week, Mr Cowen told the Dáil.
Delivering his fourth budget, Mr Cowen said overall improvements in social welfare would provide an extra €957 million extra in 2008 and €980 million in a full year.
Mr Cowen the Government had made available in recent years "significant resources" to address the needs of the most disadvantaged. The Government was committed to working with the social partners to achieving even more, he added.