Government to 'wean' people off cost-of-living supports as €60m paid to struggling families

Coalition leaders will decide this week which supports to phase out — while opposition TD says inflation is continuing to bite 

Hard-pressed families have been availing of supports aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and some warn that it may be too early to withdraw all such State payments. Picture: iStock

Almost €60m was paid out to struggling households in additional needs welfare payments last year, as the Government plans to “wean” people off cost-of-living measures in the coming weeks.

Government leaders are to meet in the next week to decide what supports will not be extended beyond the end of February.