A €5 euro increase in child benefit, a partial restoration of the Christmas bonus scheme and changes to the entry level for the Universal Social Charge will form a major part of this afternoon's Budget.

Details of extra social welfare spending have emerged ahead of the Budget 2015 announcements.

Child benefit is to be raised by €5 per child per month, while there'll also be a return of the 'Christmas bonus'.

People on Jobseeker's Allowance, and receiving the state pension, will be given a 25 percent increase in their payments in the week before Christmas.

A large majority of pensioners will also be handed an extra €100 to cover the cost of water charges, as the Government offers a number of sweeteners to the 'grey vote'.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan is expected to announce that a series of health charges for pensioners - including a prescription charge - will be frozen.

Other leaks confirmed today include a 20c or more hike in the price of a packet of cigarettes but that will be the only tax increase in the Government’s family-friendly Budget.

#budget15: Follow our Budget liveblog here.

After considerable backlash over the introduction of water charges earlier this month, the Taoiseach has confirmed that the Budget will make water rates as “affordable and fair as possible” for all.

Plans to increase the entry level at which workers start paying the Universal Social Charge from €10,036 to €12,000 are also on the cards.

The Government has also earmarked plans to recruit more teachers and gardai.

The total cost of Budget 2015, including tax measures and spending, is expected to be between €800m to €900m.

Newstalk Breakfast Chris Donoghue and Political Correspondent Páraic Gallagher have the latest from Leinster House:

#budget15: Follow our Budget liveblog here.