200,000 people on emergency welfare

ALMOST 200,000 people are in receipt of weekly emergency welfare payments which have cost at least €700 million so far this year.

Figures from the Department of Social and Family Affairs reveal that the surge in emergency welfare payments is continuing, with more than 91,000 people claiming rent supplement alone.

The emergency payments are short-term measures to help thousands out with mortgage payments and basic day-to-day needs such as food, clothing and heat.