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The briefs were prepared for former Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys ahead of a controversial decision to increase a penalty for jobseekers who did not engage to €90 per week

Welfare system needs 'trigger' to force jobless to engage

Internal government documents said the welfare system needed a stronger "trigger" to force people who were unemployed to engage with employment services.

Business • 17 Feb

Budget 2024 was for the second year in a row the largest social protection budget in the history of the State

€1 rise in main social welfare rates could cost €142m p.a

Increasing all the main weekly personal rates of social welfare in October's budget by €1 would cost the exchequer an additional €71m a year.

Business • 23 Jul 24

Under the scheme, for every €3 saved by a worker a further €4 will be credited to their savings account

Age limit for auto-enrolment should fall - committee

An Oireachtas committee has recommended that the lower age limit for the Government's planned new auto-enrolment pension scheme be lowered from the proposed 23 to 16, to align it with the PRSI minimum age threshold.

Business • 03 May 23

Criteria for rent supplement changed for domestic abuse victims during pandemic

Rental means test for domestic abuse victims cancelled

Victims of domestic violence will be granted easier access to rent supplement on a permanent basis following a decision by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.

Ireland • 11 Nov 21

Impact of HSE attack is still being felt across the country, including by new parents

New parents face long delays to register birth certs

Thousands of new parents have been living without vital State financial supports for up to five months, because the cyber attack on the HSE in May has meant they have not been able to register their child's birth.

Ireland • 27 Oct 21

In the past seven days, 8,100 people have closed their PUP claim

Numbers on pandemic payment down 5,400 in past week

The Government has now spent over €3.3 billion on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme since it was launched in mid March, according to the latest figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Business • 31 Aug 20

Up to 60,000 people could benefit from the scheme in a full year

New parents to get two weeks extra paid leave

New working parents will be able to take two extra weeks of paid leave from this week.

Ireland • 02 Nov 19

The Bill will also enable male same-sex couples to receive adoptive leave and benefit

New paid parental leave and benefit from November

From this November, all new parents in employment or self-employment will be able to avail of a new parental leave scheme offering two weeks' leave and benefit to spend with their new babies during their first year.

Ireland • 23 Apr 19

Regina Doherty said she has to be pragmatic about the budget

Doherty says approach to budget must be pragmatic

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has given a strong indication that the Budget will not see a repeat of the €5 increase to all weekly social welfare payments announced in last year's budget.

Politics • 20 Jul 18

Child benefit is paid monthly for children under 18

Doherty rules out means testing child benefit

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty has ruled out means testing the child benefit payment.

Ireland • 05 Jun 18

Carers will now be automatically entitled to a GP card

Carers to qualify for GP card

People who receive a carers allowance and who do not already have a free GP visit card are due to be given the card next year.

News • 12 Dec 17

New mothers could see their Maternity Benefit delayed by up to four weeks

Varadkar apologises over Maternity Benefit delays

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has apologised for delays over Maternity Benefit payments, which could see some new mothers waiting for up to four weeks for payment.

Ireland • 10 May 17

Leo Varadkar said the measure 'will help to ease the rental burden on young people on welfare'

Cut to personal rent supplement contribution

The personal contribution for anyone under the age of 26 receiving Rent Supplement has been cut with a saving of up to €80 a month.

News • 26 Dec 16

C&AG is presenting audit of Department of Social Protection to the committee

Roll-out of Public Services Card cost €60m

The roll-out of the new Public Services Card has cost €60m to date, the Public Accounts Committee has been told.

News • 20 Oct 16

PSC is designed to help people access a range of government services and cut down on fraud

Adults urged to sign up for Public Services Card

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has urged people who have not yet signed up for a Public Services Card to do so.

News • 10 Aug 16

The 23rd edition of 'Working for Work' has been launched

INOU in call for co-ordinated approach on jobs

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has called for a co-ordinated approach to ensure local people get jobs in the new Center Parcs resort in Co Longford.

News • 03 Aug 16

Joan Burton acknowledged the reduction of €226m would cause difficulties

Dáil passes second stage of social welfare bill

The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill passed second stage in the Dáil tonight, by 79 votes to 44.

News • 24 Oct 13

Brendan Howlin said over 6,500 people were already employed at the Dept of Social Protection

Howlin cautious over extra staff requests

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said he would proceed cautiously before sanctioning any request for extra staff at either NAMA or the Department of Social Protection.

News • 26 Sep 13

Property tax may be taken from social payments

Deducting the property tax at source from Social Protection payments has been discussed by high ranking civil servants, documents released to RTÉ's The Week in Politics have revealed.

News • 26 Nov 12