Govt saves €20m in dole payments

The growing economy helped the Government save up to €20m in dole payments so far this year, it emerged today.

Minister for Social & Family Affairs Seamus Brennan reported the underspend on unemployment benefits to the Cabinet’s weekly meeting.

Several government departments presented expenditure management reports to the Taoiseach today.

However a Government spokesperson said the €20m underspend may be frittered away on Christmas bonuses in December.

“Spending in many departments was broadly on target except for Social & Family Affairs,” she said.

“Its underspend was a consequence of timing and may be cancelled out by the annual Christmas bonuses later in the year,” she said.