Leo Varadkar announces date for €5 rise in social welfare benefits
The €5 increase in the State pension will begin from Friday, March 10.
Increases to other benefit payments announced in the Budget will begin in the days that follow and should all be in place by St Patrick's Day.
Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar, has confirmed that the Government will publish the Social Welfare Bill later this week following approval by Cabinet today.
Mr Varadkar said: "They will on the 10th of March with the payment of pensions and all other payments to be paid in the days after that, and all payments to be made before St Patrick's Day.
"Some of the other measures, such as the changes for lone parents will come into effect in January."
The Social Welfare Bill includes an increase of €5 in:
State Pension Contributory and Non-Contributory,
Widow’s, Widower’s, Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension and Disablement Pension with proportionate increases for those on reduced rates of payment. Proportionate increases for qualified adult dependants will also be provided for;
Carer’s Benefit,
Carer’s Allowance,
Disability Allowance,
Invalidity Pension,
Illness Benefit,
Blind Pension,
One Parent Family Payment,
Maternity/Paternity/Adoptive Benefit,
Farm Assist,
Jobseeker’s Benefit,
Jobseeker’s Allowance, with proportionate increases for jobseekers under the age of 26 and those in receipt of reduced rate payments. Proportionate increases for qualified adult dependants will also be provided for.
