2.2 million electricity account holders are being thrown a lifeline by the government as the first of three €200 electricity credits kick in today.
A total of €600 in credits will be paid out over the next six months in an effort to offset spiralling energy costs.
The second and third payments will be paid in January/February and March/April.
Meanwhile, families will start to get a double child-benefit payment from today.
It was one of the budget measures announced to deal with the ongoing cost of living crisis. 638,000 families qualify for the additional payment of €280 per child.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says the once-off payment is aimed at helping struggling families;
"I was particularly keen to do something to help families with children during the budget negotiations because there are hundreds of thousands of families out there who don't necessarily qualify for a welfare payment, nonetheless they're feeling the squeeze like anybody else."
Follow @98FM on Twitter for the latest Dublin news
