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Friday 1 December 2023 Dublin: -2°C

# Social Welfare

October
October 2023
Time-limits on accommodation for Ukrainians will only apply to new arrivals, Tánaiste indicates
Providing education to children from Ukraine remains a key priority for Micheál Martin, he says.
Concern that tented accommodation options for Ukrainian refugees are running out ahead of winter
The number of Ukrainians arriving into Ireland has returned to high figures of between 700 and 800 per week.
Government revisits idea of cutting social welfare supports for Ukrainian refugees
With 30% of Ukrainian refugees arriving into Ireland from other EU countries, government sources state social welfare supports are being assessed.
New energy credit and double child benefit payment both to be paid in first week of December
The first energy credit will be applied on 1st December.
€12 weekly increase to social welfare payments, plus double payment at Christmas and in January
The increased payments were announced this afternoon in the Dáil.
Opinion: 'I am one of those trapped in fuel poverty - please don't forget us in the budget'
Anne is a widow living alone in Dublin. She outlines the stress and anxiety that fuel poverty has caused her.
Social Protection Minister confirms 'across-the-board' welfare increases planned for Budget
The three coalition leaders are due to meet with the Finance and Public Expenditure ministers this afternoon.
This year
2023
'Vile': Leo Varadkar 'Benefits Street' comments condemned in Dáil
The controversial UK documentary received hundreds of complaints when it aired for its offensive portrayal of benefits claimants.
More than €111 million in social welfare overpayments uncovered last year
One person received €357,999 in jobseekers allowance that they were not entitled to.
Debunked: Ireland does not have a higher rate of Jobseeker's Allowance for migrants
An image has been shared widely on social media purporting to show a jobseeker’s payment.
Double child benefit 'worked well' last year, says minister as repeat flagged for Budget 2024
The new pay-related benefit plan is at an ‘advanced stage’ according Minister Heather Humphreys.
Measures to allow social welfare recipients to earn up to €14k a year in rent being extended
Under the measures, social welfare payments are not impacted for earning rental income under €14,000.
The government has announced a new cost-of-living package. Here's what's in it
The new cost-of-living measures were confirmed today.
A once-off €100 child benefit payment and a €200 lump sum for social welfare recipients will be paid out.
The State exam fees - for the Junior and Leaving Certificate - are again being waived.
The 9% VAT rate for hospitality and tourism will continue until 31 August.
Excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel to remain for now - but it will increase from June
Cost-of-living: Annual rate of inflation drops again slightly to 7.8%
€100 child benefit bonus and €200 lump sum social welfare payment under cost-of-living measures
The social protection measures have running cost of €400 million.
Upcoming cost-of-living package to contain 'social welfare and pensions' element
Ministers will meet this week to discuss the detail of what measures should be extended.
Ministers sign off on new €10m International Protection Fund to support community needs
The minister emphasised the need for urgent access to large-scale temporary facilities.
Last year
2022
Proposed overhaul of jobseeker's benefit would directly link payment to previous earnings
Currently, recipients of the jobseeker’s benefit are categorised into one of four bands depending on their prior income.
Dr Laura Bambrick: Why pay child benefit to wealthy parents?
The double Child Benefit payment has reopened a regular debate on whether we are wasting public money on wealthy parents, writes Dr Laura Bambrick.
Social welfare supports of €141.4m provided to Ukrainians this year
Department of Social Protection spending is 1.4% higher than profiled for this year.
Ministers announce payment dates for social protection supports introduced in Budget
A double social welfare payment will be paid next week while a double Child Benefit payment will be paid at the start of next month.
Core welfare payments increasing by €12 and plan for one-off double payments confirmed
A number of other social welfare measures were also announced.
There will be a double payment of child benefit paid out in November.
The Fuel Allowance is set to have it's means test ceiling raised, alongside a €400 lump sum.
The total package is worth €2.2 billion.
'Our citizens need help': Everything you need to know about Budget 2023
National Security: 1,000 new gardaí, and defence funding to include money for primary air radar
'Our citizens need help': Everything you need to know about Budget 2023
The Government has confirmed a range of measures including tax band changes, electricity credits and social welfare increases.
'I don't say it lightly': Housing crisis is a breach in the social contract, says Tánaiste
In an exclusive interview, Leo Varadkar also indicated the minimum wage is to increase.
Varadkar says the Government needs to have "another go" at fixing the housing crisis
Renters need more help, declares Tánaiste
However, Budget 2023 will not have all the solutions to fix property situation
€22.7 million paid out so far this year on emergency social welfare payments
The Government has provided funding of €45.75 million for the additional needs payment this year.
Call for all social welfare payments to be increased by €20 as older people 'turn off heating'
Age Action said the State Pension should be increased by at least €23 in the Budget.
Jump in emergency welfare payments reflects what's happening on the ground for families, says SVP
Sinn Féin’s Social Protection, Claire Kerrane says people should be able to apply for the payment online, rather than by post or in person.
Employees who are forced to self-isolate due to monkeypox advised to apply for Illness Benefit
Financial supports may available to those who contract the virus.
17,000 apply for emergency social welfare payments for food, fuel and clothing in July alone
The number of applications has been rising month-on-month in light of the cost-of-living crisis.
Help for renters, pension and social welfare increases as 'more room to manoeuvre' in Budget
Taoiseach said renters “will be considered” in October’s budget.
Carer told to repay social welfare payment after teen son's death calls for system reform
The proposal would prevent family carers from being immediately cut off from supports if a disabled child dies at age 16 or older.
A carer is calling on the government to close a gap in the social welfare system upon the death of a disabled child aged 16 or over.
Tracy McGinnis lost her son Brendan Bjorn, aged 17, last month, and was ordered to refund a social welfare payment.
Care Alliance Ireland said carers who lose a child go through a "really difficult transition period", Lauren Boland reports.
Warning over linking unemployment benefits to previous earnings
The Economic and Social Research Institute said the move would give rise to weaker financial work incentives unless capped or time-limited.
Ryan signals need for social welfare and tax changes to get country through 'very difficult period'
Taoiseach has said there will be “a challenging number of months ahead with the cost of living”.
Treatment Benefit Scheme for dental works, hearing aids and glasses extended by 80,000 people
The amount of PRSI contributions necessary for young people to qualify has been significantly reduced.
Up to €14,000 can be earned in rent by social welfare recipients under newly agreed rules
The change means that social welfare payments will not be impacted for earning rental income under €14,000.
Targeted welfare payments would ease cost of living pressure on lower-income workers, experts say
The Government is to unveil a “substantial” package of measures tomorrow, the Tánaiste told Fine Gael TDs.
All time
Christmas payment will be paid to 1.4 million social welfare recipients next week
The cost of this year’s Christmas payment will be €313 million.
No plans for rollback of cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment rates
From today, the €250 PUP rate will reduce to €203 per week.
Opinion: Rising energy costs this winter are now a major concern for low-income households
Issy Petrie from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul says the government must act now to prevent people slipping in to poverty this winter.
State pension and core social welfare payments to increase by €5 per week
A range of other social welfare increases was announced.
This will bring the full State pension to €253.30 per week.
A €5 increase to the Fuel Allowance comes into effect from midnight.
The Living Alone Allowance will also increase by €3 per week.
Pension and social welfare payment rises on the cards for next month's Budget
The Social Protection Minister said ‘very difficult decisions’ around the State pension will have to be made.