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Wednesday 28 October 2020
The decision to cut welfare payments after recipients’ holidays abroad has been criticised by TDs as unfair, misguided and discriminatory.
Around 50,000 people currently receiving the unemployment payment are receiving income support for the first time.
The social protection minister admitted that some students might be receiving more from the scheme than they would normally have earned.
An Exchequer deficit of €2.5 billion was recorded in the first quarter of 2020.
Minister Regina Doherty said 43,000 of those applications have been processed so far.
The first case of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland was confirmed over the weekend.
The Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection is due before the PAC today.
Changes to the State pension in 2012 meant carers who took time off work received less in their State pension.
The slogan “arbeit macht frei” is known for appearing on the entrance of Auschwitz.
The INOU has said it is “very disappointing” there were no increases to Jobseekers’ payments.
Controversy has overshadowed the scheme over the years due to complaints from users of the service.
Despite government revisions, only 32,307 pensioners have received an increase in their pension, which is “significantly lower than expected”.
The Budget for 2020 will be announced in October – weeks before the UK is due to leave the EU.
Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty says the government has a legally binding contract with the operators that it must honour.
Private companies operating JobPath get over €3k for every jobseeker that makes it through the scheme
The changes will resolve a number of difficulties in the registration of donor assisted births.
The minister described it as one of the most significant changes ‘in a generation’.
People began to complain of delays in payments back in August.
Howlin said calls to the Social Protection helpline have been going unanswered.
TDs said constituents have been in touch about the delay or cessation of customer payments since the new system kicked in.
Social media monitoring is one three media monitoring contracts being advertised by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
The minister gave a strong indication there will not be a repeat of the €5 increase in social welfare payments in the next Budget.
It is paid at a rate of €125 for children aged 4-11 and €250 for children aged 12 years and over.
Minister Regina Doherty said it’s important to stay in contact with family and friends as we get older.
Regina Doherty acknowledged that there are issues with the childcare system in Ireland but argued that means testing is cumbersome.
The government is reportedly considering making paid paternity leave mandatory for all new fathers.
The man has long maintained that, in being denied a PSC because he refused to get an adoption certificate, he was in effect being discriminated against.
In total, an extra €22.50 will be paid to over 368,000 households.
The decision means that fuel allowance recipients will now automatically receive €45 for this week instead of the usual €22.50.
Driving licence applications will become the latest state process to be added to the Public Services Card’s remit in just under seven weeks.
The Public Services Card was discussed for the first time in an Oireachtas forum at the Social Protection committee today.
The rate refers to households where no adult is working.
“I just burst out crying,” the 50-year-old woman says. “I really think this is the highest form of discrimination.”
The technical glitch that caused the issue has been resolved.
Exceptional needs payments can be made under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
The Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All campaign was launched by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in April of this year.
She was told she was being investigated by the Department of Social Protection and the payments were being suspended.
The Government looks set to lose a vote in the Dáil.
Catherine MurphyTD has raised serious concerns in the Dáil regarding the activation programme, JobPath.
One of the Budget talking points will be how our social welfare benefits compare to our EU counterparts.
LIKE ALMOST EVERYTHING this year, Halloween in 2020 will be a bit different from usual.
Large scale fancy-dress parties shouldn’t be happening under Level 5.
One thing we can still do, however, is watch some horror films.
There’s plenty to choose from ranging between the child-friendly to the very scary ones available on streaming platforms and set to be shown on TV in the coming days.
So, this morning we’re asking you: Do you plan to watch some horror films this Halloween?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
Rain tapering off; breezy this afternoon
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Min: 6 °C
Variable clouds, showers around; breezy
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Mostly cloudy, a little rain; breezy
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Min: 13 °C
