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The pandemic unemployment payment now received by more than 200,000 people will be reviewed in January, said Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
While the small increases in the single living allowance and fuel allowance were welcomed, along with qualifying child payments, the Opposition criticized the Minister for not restoring the PUP payments to their original size.
“It had to be sustainable,” he said. “These were decisions we made. There is a lot of money being spent on PUPs and the important thing is that we keep it and expand it. ”Current rates will be reviewed again in January.
However, the old-age pension has not been increased for the second year in a row and the age of eligibility will remain at 66 years.
Ms. Humphreys said her package was “very targeted at those who need it most. There are elderly people who live alone and people with disabilities who live alone and have an additional € 5 a week ”.
The payment made by dependent children of adult beneficiaries of social protection increased from € 5 to € 45 per week for children aged 12 and over and from € 2 to € 38 per week for children under 12 years of age.
The allowance for living only for the elderly and people with disabilities will increase from € 5 to € 19 per week, while the fuel allowance, paid from September to April, will increase from € 3.50 to € 28 per week. The Christmas bonus will be paid in the first week of December. Those in the PUP for more than four months will get it.
In recognition of the difficulties for those who find work intermittently, such as taxi drivers and artists, and who, as a result, were unable to obtain the PUP, an earnings dismissal should be introduced.
Three weeks
The caregiver support grant will increase by € 150, up to € 1,850 per year, while the parental benefit will be increased by three weeks.
The Department for Children, Youth and Equality will receive an additional 120 million euros, an increase of 6%.
This will include an additional € 61 million for Tusla, € 25 million for direct provision accommodation and € 5 million for youth services.
In total, 638 million euros will be spent on early childhood education in 2021.
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