€10 social welfare increase comes into effect this week

The €10 increase in weekly social welfare payments announced in this year’s Budget is due to come into effect later this week.

More than 400,000 people are set to benefit from the increase, which takes effect from January 1.

Widows and widowers will also receive an increase of €11.50 in their weekly allowances, while more than 1,800 additional families are due to become eligible for family income supplements.