Back to work boost for parents

A new initiative to help parents on welfare get back to work will make it more financially worthwhile to take up employment by letting them keep some state supports.

The Back to Work Family Dividend will allow unemployed parents retain the child-related portion of their social welfare payments for the first year of employment, and half the amount in the second year.

Long-term unemployed parents currently receive an extra €29.80 per week for each of their children on top of their basic jobseeker’s payment. By being allowed to retain that portion, they will continue to receive €1,550 per child for the first year and €775 the second year.