During the Budget 2025 speech, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has announced several key changes to social welfare benefits, including a significant increase in children’s allowance by €250 per child.
Additionally, the grant of €150 for individuals working atypical hours in specific sectors will be continued. Families with a third or subsequent child will see a boost in their bonus from €1,000 to €1,500.
Moreover, the marriage grant will increase to €1,000 per couple. Furthermore, employed prospective parents undergoing IVF treatment will benefit from an extension of the 100 hours of paid leave, now also available to self-employed individuals.
Clyde Caruana
Self-employed fathers will now be entitled to the current 10 days of paternal leave, with payment based on the minimum wage. Foster families will see an increase in fostering allowance by €10 weekly to €120 per week for each fostered person under 21.
Additionally, the Supplementary Allowance will rise by €190 for couples and €60 for single individuals, with a widened eligibility income bracket. Finally, the amount of capital assets for eligibility to non-contributory benefits has been raised to €26,000 for couples and €16,000 for singles. These changes aim to provide greater support to families and individuals in need.