Budget 2024 is on the horizon and politicians have started dropping hints about what the public can expect.

Pension increases, further energy credits and child benefit hikes are among the measures being considered in this year's budget as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Speaking to reporters today, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said the budget will be "big" but added that the Government is "very conscious of the need to avoid adding to inflationary pressure".

While nothing has been confirmed, here are some measures being considered by politicians for Budget 2024.

Read more: Social welfare Ireland: Government considering child benefit increase for Budget 2024

Pension

The Taoiseach has promised that the pension will be increased in Budget 2024.

He said in the Dail earlier this year: "Assure you there will be a further increase in the weekly pension and that will be in the Budget. The exact amount has not been decided yet.

"That will have to be discussed between now and October and will have to be seen in the round of other things we want to do as a government. But certainly there will be a further pension increase."

Child benefit

The €140 monthly payment payment may soon be hiked after being put on the table during Coalition budget talks, Irish Independent reports.

Child Benefit was last increased in 2016 after being cut significantly during the economic downturn. Parents received a bonus €100 payment per child in June as part of the spring cost of living package.

For the upcoming budget, the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee has also recommended that the monthly payment be extended to a child's 19th year while they are still in school.

Energy credits

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that households can expect further energy supports from the upcoming budget.

Speaking to the media last month, the Taoiseach said: "I think it's pretty obvious that people will need help with their energy bills this winter coming and the details will be in the Budget.

"Our expectation is that electricity and gas prices will fall, but they won't fall enough or fast enough between now and next winter for us to say that there is no longer a case for support.”

Mr Varadkar added that the coalition hasn't made a final decision on how the payments will be made, but said the "easy option" is through energy credits as "you can just take it off the bill, it applies to everyone".

"But as we did previously, there was a targeted element too, recognising that poorer households might need the help more, and then I know there will be a desire to do a bit more in helping people with their energy efficiency," added Mr Varadkar.

Social welfare payments

We don't yet know if the jobseekers allowance or other welfare payments will be increased in October's budget.

However, the Oireachtas Social Protection committee has recommended that all welfare payments be hiked by at least 10%.

The committee has published its pre-budget submission where it called for all welfare payments to be benchmarked against a minimum essential standard of living.

Outgoing Independent TD Denis Naughten is chair of the committee and said that tackling of poverty and the rising cost of living is a "key focus" for them in Budget 2024.

The Fuel Allowance is one welfare payment that could see a major expansion. The Social Protection committee has suggested that a new half rate Fuel Allowance for those with an income of €140-€280 above the relevant social welfare rates should be introduced to address the spiralling cost of fuel.

They also advised lengthening the period that the Fuel Allowance is paid. The payment is currently issued for 28 weeks out of the year, but the Social Protection committee believes this should be increased to 32 weeks.

The current weekly amount of €33 should be increased "in line with home energy inflation". The Committee also recommends further widening of the eligibility for Fuel Allowance to recipients of the Working Family Payment and all jobseekers.

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