Committee calls for 10% increase to all social welfare payments 

Oireachtas Social Protection Committee chairman Denis Naughten  said the committee’s 31 recommendations would be forwarded to the Department of Social Protection for consideration before deciding its own budget priorities. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Oireachtas Social Protection Committee has recommended that all social welfare payments be increased by at least 10% in the coming budget, with the aim of lessening the impact of the cost of living crisis.

In its pre-budget submission the committee, chaired by outgoing independent TD Denis Naughten, said that all welfare payments should be benchmarked against a minimum essential standard of living.