Social welfare payment dates changed due to Easter bank holiday

Recipients can expect their money to arrive on Friday, April 3, or Saturday, April 4. File picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Thousands of people across Ireland are set to receive their social welfare payments earlier than expected this week, in a move aimed at avoiding disruption over the Easter bank holiday.

Payments due on Easter Monday, April 6, will instead be issued in advance, as banks, post offices, and Intreo centres will be closed for the public holiday.

Recipients can expect their money to arrive on Friday, April 3, or Saturday, April 4.

The change will impact a wide range of weekly payments.

Child Benefit, which is normally paid on April 7, is also expected to be brought forward to ensure families are not left waiting due to the closures.

Payment dates are then expected to return to normal following the Easter weekend.

The early payments come as part of a broader effort by the Government to support households facing rising living costs, particularly increases in fuel prices linked to ongoing international tensions.

A €250m support package has been introduced, including cuts to fuel excise duty, updates to the diesel rebate scheme, and an extension of the fuel allowance.

Under the extension, around 470,000 households will receive an additional €38 per week for four weeks, amounting to a total extra payment of €152.