Clendennen says Budget 2025 puts “money in your pocket”

Budget 2025 will benefit working families, parents, farmers and those dependent on state supports, Fine Gael Councillor and General election candidate, John Clendennen has said.

Cllr Clendennen said the budget delivered by a Fine Gael led government puts more money back in people's pockets at a time when they need it most. It also gives significant increases to pensioners and those in receipt of other supports.

"We have increased the point at which people pay the higher tax rate from €42,000 to €44,000. Together with the cut in USC a full-time worker on €56,000 will retain a further €916 of their income.

"In addition, families will benefit from increase in maternity benefit, children's allowances, the €1,000 reduction in college fees, the provision of free schoolbooks to all second level and the provision of hot meals in all primary schools. There will also be an energy credit of €250.

"Every pensioner will receive an increase of €12 per week together with two double payments between now and Christmas and the energy credit. The significant increase in the fuel allowance will also benefit many pensioners".

"A new tillage scheme will provide €100 per hectare on all sown ground in 2024, offering much needed support to tillage farmers after a difficult few months. There is also significant increased support for suckler and sheep farmers.

“Farmers will also benefit from changes to inheritance tax procured by Fine Gael. This reform is particularly important for family farms, helping to ease the financial burden experienced by many farmers in Offaly in passing farms from one generation to the next."

Councillor Clendennen commented that the measures highlighted above, together with many other provisions in the budget will play a major part in helping families and pensioners to address the cost-of-living issues and farmers to deal with the ongoing challenges stemming from recent adverse weather.

He concluded by saying "it gives us a very good base to build on in coming years to deliver further for all sectors".