Many people in Ireland will notice the positive effects of Budget 2022 across a number of areas as changes come into force in the coming weeks.
From social welfare boosts to the creation of thousands of new jobs and education courses, many things will be implemented from January and beyond.
Parents, homeowners, and those seeking work or further education should take note of some of the scheduled changes for next year.
Here is everything you need to know:
Parents
Among the financial supports for parents in Ireland was the extension of free GP care for children aged 6 and 7 - all children within the eligible age groups who are residents in Ireland are eligible.
Financial support to help with childcare costs for eligible parents was also extended to all children aged up to 15 - coming into effect in September 2022.
As well as this, the Parent's Benefit payment will be given out for 7 weeks, which is an increase of 2 weeks, from July 2022.
Homeowners
For those lucky enough to be in their own homes next year, eligible people will be able to claim the Living Alone Allowance, which will be increased by €3 in January, and Fuel Allowance, which was already increased by €5.
Meanwhile, plans announced in the Budget confirmed 11,820 new social homes will be delivered through build, acquisition and leasing programmes, with 9,000 of these homes being new builds.
€18 million has been assigned to the delivery of Traveller accommodation, while 11,000 grants will be available to adapt the homes of older people and those with a disability.
14,800 new households will have their housing needs met under the Housing Assistance, and a Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme will be in place in addition to supporting almost 82,000 existing tenancies under these schemes.
Unemployed
The Covid-19 pandemic has left many in search of work, as numerous sectors deal with the fallout of the current pandemic.
For those now looking to upskill, or are seeking out new opportunities, there will be and increase in jobs for certain sectors as well as education and training courses coming in 2022 such as:
- 1,165 additional SNA's, bringing the total number of SNA's to almost 19,200
- an additional 350 teachers to reduce school staffing schedules by 1 point for all primary schools
- 7,600 places in Further Education and Training courses in key skills areas of the economy
- 980 additional special education teachers working in special classes, special schools and mainstream settings to support children with special educational needs
- off-the-job training places for 7,000 craft apprentices impacted by COVID-19
- a €200 increase in the maintenance grant payment in the Student Support Scheme
- recruitment of up to 800 new trainee Gardaí and 400 Garda staff
