First of payments tackling cost of living will be paid next week
The people of Westmeath are to receive immediate help with the cost of living, according to Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke, who was speaking after Ministers Heather Humphreys and Michael McGrath today announced payment dates for eight upcoming Budget Cost of Living Supports.
“Starting from next week, eight lump-sum payments totalling €1.2 billion nationally will be made to help people with the cost of living," said Minister Burke.
“Fine Gael is determined to put money back in people’s pockets and assist them with the rising cost of living.
"My colleague Minister Heather Humphreys recently delivered the largest social protection Budget in the history of the state, with a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments."
From next Monday October 17, the Autumn Double Lump Sum Payment will be paid to social protection recipients including all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments.
There will be a double payment of Child Benefit on November 1.
On the week commencing Monday November 14, there will be four significant payments.
“A €500 Disability Support Grant will be paid to people with disabilities; a €500 Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Working Family Payment; and a €200 payment will be made to people in receipt of Living Alone Allowance.
A €400 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid in the same week to 7,613 households in Westmeath.
"Minister Humphreys also secured a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme – which will see many more households supported with their fuel cost for the first time from January," continued Minister Burke.
On the week commencing Monday November 21, a €500 Carer’s Support Grant will be provided to all those in receipt of the Carers’ Support Grant.
A 100% Christmas Bonus will also be paid on the week commencing December 5th.
“Thanks to Fine Gael’s careful management of the economy over recent years, all of this is possible without Ireland having to borrow, unlike what we are seeing in other countries. We also have a €6 billion reserve fund set aside for any additional challenges we may face next year,” concluded the Mullingar Chartered Accountant.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys added:
“I’m pleased today, along with Minister McGrath, to announce the dates for the Lump Sum Payments secured as part of the Budget.
“These payments will support hundreds of thousands of our citizens, including our pensioners and most vulnerable, with the Cost of Living pressures over the winter months.
“The Social Protection Budget that I announced last month is the largest in the history of the State.
“This reflects the fact that families are really feeling the squeeze right now. And it is only right that Government steps in to support them with these eight lump sum payments totalling 1.2 billion.
“Budget 2023 was designed to help in the short term and alleviate some of the pressures they are under.
“I believe we will achieve this through the blend of lump sums, as well as the increases in people’s core weekly rates, which were also announced on Budget Day.”