Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Here's what Budget 2019 means for people receiving social welfare payments

The Christmas bonus will be fully restored for the first time since the economic downturn.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

ALL WEEKLY SOCIAL welfare payments are set to increase by €5, Finance and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has announced.

The increase will come into effect next March and will impact people in receipt of payments such as the Jobseeker’s Allowance, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and the State Pension.

The Christmas bonus will also be restored to a double payment for the first time in a decade. 

Social welfare recipients used to receive a Christmas bonus of a full week’s extra payment in December but the bonus was axed in 2009 following the economic crash. 

The Christmas bonus was restored in 2014 and increased to 85% of a welfare recipient’s weekly payment in 2018.

Budget 2019

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, the finance minister announced that a new parental leave scheme will be introduced in November.

The scheme allows for two extra weeks’ leave to every parent of a child in their first year. The minister said that it is planned to increase this to seven extra weeks over time.

A new set of measures outlined today aim to improve living standards, the minister said. 

In addition to these measures, the Fuel Allowance scheme will be extended by one week while the annual home carer credit is being increased by €300, from €1,200 to €1,500.

There will be a €2.20 per week rise of the qualified child allowance for under 12s and a €5.20 increase for over 12s.

There will also be a €25 increase in the back-to-school allowance.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
53 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alex Kickham
    Favourite Alex Kickham
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2014, 10:01 PM

    Best of luck to all involved in Woman Stood Regardless.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Roche
    Favourite Paul Roche
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2014, 8:10 PM

    I’m leaving a space here….

    Feel free to print it out and add your own comment.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damian O'Brien
    Favourite Damian O'Brien
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2014, 8:56 PM

    Speechless.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kev O Dowd
    Favourite Kev O Dowd
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2014, 8:57 PM

    ah yeah

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha-Sinead Ni Ciceam
    Favourite Sorcha-Sinead Ni Ciceam
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2014, 11:15 AM

    Good Luck to you all :)

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds