Free schoolbooks for students in the first three years of secondary school is set to be announced in tomorrow's Budget, at a cost of €55 million.
The measure, which will will be introduced next September, will mean that 770,000 students across primary and secondary schools will get free text books and work books.
As the last meetings ahead of Budget 2024 continue, there are indications too that the energy credit for households will be worth upwards of €400.
As the overall Budget package takes shape, the final energy credit could be in the order of €450.
A €12 increase in weekly welfare and pension payments is also to be introduced in the Budget following talks tonight.
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said that a large number of Budget items have now been agreed.
The cost-of-living package would contain significant cash and energy supports for people, he said as he arrived to meet the Coalition party leaders in Government buildings.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted the Budget would make a difference to the cost-of-living issues concerning people.
He added that the decisions would also ensure that the country has every prospect of being "economically safe" in the period ahead.
Mortgage holders hit with ECB rate hikes will be able to avail of tax relief of up to €1,250 under measures which will be announced in the Budget tomorrow.
The temporary measure is likely to apply to more than 208,000 homeowners who will be able to claim 20% tax relief on the rate increases between 2022 and 2023.
It will include those on variable and tracker mortgages.
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The Renters' Credit is also set to increase in the Budget from €500 to €750.
Landlords are to get an "income disregard" of €3,000 to €5,000 at the standard rate of tax.
This means those who promise to stay in the rental market will get a tax break of between €600 and €1,000.
It has been confirmed too that the energy credit will be paid in three instalments of €150.
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There is a possibility that a double payment of welfare and pensions might be paid in January. This was initially being planned for October, but it could now happen in January instead.
The double Christmas payment will still take place at the usual time.
Core spending in the Budget will increase by €5.2 billion.
Childcare costs will be cut by a further 25% following final Budget talks with Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman today.
The cut is likely to be introduced "later in the year."
The Coalition party leaders met until the early hours of this morning to finalise most of the details of the Budget.
Some items remain outstanding, however, and there may be further meetings today.
Ahead of last night's meeting, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the issues that still needed agreement included tax measures, supports for small businesses and the health and social welfare budgets.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the fundamental focus was on protecting people from the impact of cost-of-living increases.
However, the cost-of-living package is expected to be smaller than last year's €4bn in once-off measures.
Some of the corporation tax receipts will be funnelled into two new funds. One will focus on infrastructure while the other will provide for pensions and other future liabilities.
Additional reporting Sandra Hurley
