The renters' tax credit will be increased in the Budget, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said, while fuel excise is also being examined.
The scale of the increase will be closely watched as ministers seek to finalise negotiations before Budget day on 6 October, with Government also examining measures on energy and fuel.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said it "may not be prudent" to proceed with the unwinding of excise cuts to petrol and diesel in November if prices remain elevated.
The renters' tax credit was introduced in 2022 and has since been extended and increased up to a yearly maximum of €1,000 for an individual or €2,000 for a couple who are jointly assessed for tax.
It was reported in the Irish Examiner that Minister for Housing James Browne is seeking to increase the credit by €300.
Asked if he supported an increase of that scale, Mr Martin said the credit has been "positive", adding: "We will be increasing it in the forthcoming Budget."
He told reporters before a meeting of the Cabinet: "The only issue I'd have is some people are not availing of it and that's an issue that we need to really examine."
Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris said there was a "need to help people with the cost of rent", adding he was "positively disposed" to increasing the credit.
Specifically asked if it would be increased by €300, Mr Harris said: "It's going to be a long 15 days (until the Budget) if we're going to go through every specific line of the Budget and every specific amount inside the Budget."
He added: "There will be tax measures in that Budget. The bulk of the tax measures will go on a personal income tax.
"There's a tax package of around €1.5 billion. We all know any personal income tax package comes in at around €1.2-ish billion.
"So, there's a little bit left to do other things. The Programme for Government is clear - that's what unites everybody in Government - that the renters' tax credit is an area that should be increased if possible, and therefore we will look favourably upon that.
"The level at which we do it is a matter of for Budget day."
Energy 'biggest challenge' facing economy this winter
Meanwhile, Mr Harris said he believes energy is the "biggest challenge" facing the economy this winter.
He said any politician who says they can insulate people from the energy crisis is not telling the truth as "these are global issues, and we need de-escalation".
He added that while the Government will help with energy in some ways in the budget, it will be focused on helping broadly with the cost of living.
Minister Harris said the question of whether natural gas consumers will get support in the Budget will be looked at "in the round" when Government examines the issue of any measures to help users of home heating oil.
He said that helping to "suppress the growth of energy prices" helps reduce inflation.
He added that he was committed to a carbon tax and said "there will be a carbon tax next year".
The Tánaiste's remarks came as bilateral talks continue at Government Buildings between key ministers and members of Cabinet with a view to finalising the specifics of the budget announcement on 6 October.
Mr Harris is to introduce €1.5 billion in new taxation measures while Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers will announce €7bn in new spending measures.
However, Junior Minister at the Department of Transport Seán Canney has declined to be drawn on whether there would be additional fuel supports in the Budget.
He added that uncertainty hangs over the future cost of fuel.
Mr Canney said: "We're looking to see what can we do, what more can we do, what less can we do.
"Where do I foresee things being in two weeks time or three weeks time or on 6 October?
"And that is the problem. I don't. Nobody knows. We don't know where things will be tomorrow, the next day."
He was speaking at an EU Presidency informal meeting of transport ministers taking place at Dublin Castle.
Mr Canney added: "We're taking advice from Europe, from the Commission, in terms of what they foresee happening in the future, it's a crystal ball at times. We're also looking, taking advice ourselves in terms of fuel stocks."
Energy and cost of oil 'biggest issue on my mind' - Tánaiste
Speaking at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in Dublin today, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "By 2050, just 24 years away, Ireland will look a lot like Italy or Japan does today. In such a society, growth will be lower, costs will be higher and the burden on taxpayers - our children - will be immense," the Tánaiste will say.
"There is no way of avoiding that fate and that is why it is so important that we continue to run surpluses and invest in our sovereign wealth fund."
Mr Harris acknowledged that Ireland is too reliant economically on a few key sectors.
"Everyone knows about the level of concentration in corporation tax receipts, but that is just a reflection of the concentration in our industrial base. We are very reliant on a few key sectors, a few key firms and a few key products.
"Let’s not pretend that’s not the case. What we now need to do is make the right choices for the next steps," he said, adding that the Irish economy is likely to become more diversified.
Mr Harris also warned that "we cannot throw money at every problem and expect results" and that only fundamental reform in areas like the delivery of infrastructure can deliver on the quarter of a trillion euro committed to capital spending in the National Development Plan.
He argued that all of this will underpin the likely moves in Budget 2027, including tax cuts to make work pay, investment in areas like childcare, and the new investment account.
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Meanwhile, Opposition parties are to publish their alternative budget proposals in the days ahead.
The Social Democrats has pushed for an energy windfall tax while Sinn Féin and the Labour Party believe substantial measures are needed to tackle the cost of living.
Independent Ireland says urgent clarity is needed on the future of fuel excise cuts, due to be unwound from 1 November.
People Before Profit claim the carbon tax must be dropped entirely as it penalises ordinary households while Aontú wants the Government to give more targeted support to rural pubs and hospitality outlets.
Additional reporting: PA
