Organisation: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The additional needs payments from the Community Welfare Service can be used to cover costs such as fuel, utility bills, clothing and even prams and funeral expenses.</p>

news

Cost-of-living crisis drives increase in demand for additional needs payments

Almost €17m has been paid out by the State for people who need help with fuel, utility bills and other matters

business

1m people either on Live Register or getting Covid-related payment last month

news

Inquiry into data gathered for child benefit applications

business

Covid-19 welfare payment numbers fall but huge number still need Government support

business

Further 30,000 close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment

news

Government warns of coronavirus text scam

Man used garda’s PPS number to fraudulently claim Covid-19 payment

A Westmeath man has pleaded guilty to using a garda’s PPS number to fraudulently obtain Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payments totalling €1,050.

Sat, 13 Jun, 2020

Pandemic payment to be reduced for part-time workers, Taoiseach confirms

The pandemic unemployment payment will be reduced for part-time workers, the Taoiseach has said.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2020

Gardai smash alleged crime gang laundering €1.5m acquired through cyber crime and prostitution

Five men have been arrested over allegedly laundering €1.5m acquired through cybercrime, organised prostitution and theft.

Wed, 03 Jun, 2020

Rise in Government expenditure due to coronavirus pandemic

The exchequer's deficit reached €6.1 billion in May, as pressure on the government's finances continues with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wed, 03 Jun, 2020

Ireland's unemployment rate was more than 26% in May

The unemployment rate was 51% for those aged 15 to 24 years.

Wed, 03 Jun, 2020

Corporation tax revenues set to be bright spot in Covid-19 economic crisis

New figures will throw new light on the huge costs in supporting the economy and on the long-term pain as more households lose their jobs amid the Covid-19 economic crisis.

Wed, 03 Jun, 2020

Making Cents: Working out if you will face a tax bill because of Covid-19 supports

The Government last week reminded anyone receiving the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), put in place as an emergency response to layoffs made in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, that they could be liable for a tax bill at the end of the year.

Mon, 01 Jun, 2020

Pascal Donohoe: ‘The State can, should, and will borrow to cover this deficit’

Finance minister Pascal Donohoe outlines the unprecedented economic support measures the Government are putting in place to help businesses recover from the pandemic crisis

Mon, 01 Jun, 2020

Paschal Donohoe warned against cuts to €350 Covid-19 payments

Patricia King, the head of the Irish Congress Trade Unions (ICTU), has warned Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe against cutting the €350 weekly pandemic payment at any time.

Tue, 26 May, 2020

Teen arrested on suspicion of fraudulently claiming Covid-19 payments

'The suspected offender was receiving six separate Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payments into a bank account, in what are believed to be bogus names.'

Thu, 21 May, 2020

€855,000 underpayment of REPS participants revealed

The Ombudsman, Peter Tyndall, welcomed the favourable conclusion to this complaint, saying it will benefit all applicants similarly affected.

Thu, 21 May, 2020

Complaints to Ombudsman about public services up 9% and highest since 2010

The number of complaints received by Ombudsman, Peter Tyndall, increased by 9% last year, with 60% of all complaints made about government departments and offices and local authorities.

Wed, 20 May, 2020

Ireland to continue in acute emergency maybe ‘for years’

Ireland will continue in the acute emergency phase of the Covid-19 crisis for "most probably years", with "further waves an ever-present danger," according to the Secretary General of the Department of Health.

Tue, 19 May, 2020

Brian Keegan: Covid-19 funding costs set to turn up the heat on extending the state retirement age to 67 next year

The great recession of 2008 was characterised by private sector indebtedness. The growth in the national debt from 2008 on was partially accounted for by the bank bailout, but primarily due to the need to continue social welfare payments and other state services and supports following the fall in tax revenues, writes Brian Keegan

Sun, 17 May, 2020

Whistleblowers make 222 disclosures across Government departments

A total of 222 protected disclosures by potential whistleblowers have been made across Government departments since legislation to protect such disclosures was first enacted in 2014.

Fri, 15 May, 2020

Gardaí arrest two in cybercrime probe

False passports, fake IDs, cash, account books and other financial items were seized by gardaí following a search of two Dublin homes relating to an organised cybercrime investigation involving 130 suspects.

Fri, 08 May, 2020

Exchequer figures to signal budget deficit heading to €30bn this year

Exchequer figures published this afternoon are set to show the mounting toll the State faces from the Covid-19 economic storm and will point to the Government budget deficit soaring to €30bn this year.

Tue, 05 May, 2020

Mortgage borrowers hit by Covid-19 jobs slump 'facing problems securing mortgage breaks'

Mortgage borrowers previously in arrears but who are now up to date with their monthly payments have had difficulties in automatically accessing the three-month mortgage payment breaks, according to a leading broker.

Mon, 27 Apr, 2020

Cianan Brennan: New war of words breaks out in saga of public services card

Ireland and the UN’s chief human rights official are at odds. A Covid-19 tracing app may lead to a new data protection issue, says Cianan Brennan

Fri, 24 Apr, 2020

Letter to the Editor: Pay those left behind

The war between society and Covid-19 allows use of the soldier’s refrain; leave no person behind.

Wed, 22 Apr, 2020

Early education providers in danger of never reopening

Fears that services may not re-open after government move

Thu, 16 Apr, 2020

Revenue Commissioners: ‘Mark of honour’ for businesses to get wage subsidy

The Revenue Commissioners says that any business utilising the State’s Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme should regard being named publicly for doing so as a “mark of honour”.

Tue, 07 Apr, 2020

Unemployment figure may have hit 25% months earlier than predicted

Unemployment, which had been forecast to peak at 25% this summer due to the Covid-19 crisis, may have already exceeded that level — two months earlier than forecast.

Tue, 07 Apr, 2020

700,000+ now dependent on income supports; 39,000 firms apply for wage supports

More than 700,000 people are now dependent on social welfare income supports, the Government has revealed.

Mon, 06 Apr, 2020

Covid-19: €1m euro arts and culture scheme announced to support artists and writers

The funding will allow over 300 artists to sculpt, paint, write or create music.

Fri, 03 Apr, 2020

Government to begin paying Covid-19 emergency unemployment fund today

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection said the high numbers are in addition to the standard jobseeker payments, which have jumped by 19,000 to 201,000 since the end of February.

Mon, 30 Mar, 2020

Dept of Social Protection: 'Fraudulent claims of Covid-19 payment will be prosecuted'

Anyone who fraudulently tries to claim the new Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be prosecuted, the Department responsible has said.

Thu, 26 Mar, 2020

Teachers want protections for vulnerable pupils while out of school

Plans must be put in place to protect the needs of vulnerable students by ensuring they receive the necessary tuition, food, and care in the weeks ahead, primary teachers have warned.

Wed, 25 Mar, 2020

Brian Keegan: Businesses need to be allowed imaginative rule bending in the Covid-19 crisis

It is startling the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic has changed the ground rules for business, writes Brian Keegan.

Sun, 22 Mar, 2020

Post offices to remain open with safety measures in place

Post offices will remain open with measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2020

Q&A: 16,000 workers affected to date so how do Covid-19 emergency welfare payments work?

More than 16,000 laid-off workers have applied for the Government’s emergency unemployment payment since Monday — with a huge rise in numbers expected in the coming days.

Wed, 18 Mar, 2020

Covid-19: your entitlements as an employee

You are entitled to Illness Benefit if you have been medically advised to self-isolate.

Tue, 17 Mar, 2020

Coronavirus Q&A: What are your rights as an employee in the case of an outbreak?

Many people are concerned about their work entitlements in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mon, 02 Mar, 2020

Storm Jorge to bring 145km/h winds to Ireland early today

There will be an elevated risk of coastal flooding with a “violent” storm-force-11 gale-warning in place some coastal areas.

Sat, 29 Feb, 2020

PSC data protection policy updated after Doherty loses seat

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has updated its key data protection policy with regard to the Public Services Card on foot of a negative report regarding the card carried out by the Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon.

Tue, 11 Feb, 2020

Over 70% of care allowance refusals reversed