27,000 social welfare payments delayed

THOUSANDS of people entirely dependent on social welfare payments have suffered delays in accessing the vital funds because of the worst cold snap to hit Ireland in a generation.

As temperatures continued to plummet the Department of Social and Family Affairs confirmed that almost 27,000 people have yet to receive this week’s payment.

Those waiting on the money are expected to receive cheques today after An Post was unable to deliver them from the department’s Dublin commuter centre offices on Wednesday and Thursday morning.