Social welfare
Jobseekers to get extra €5 a week in budget as fuel allowance rises
The government has widened the eligibility criteria for caterers so more can access the allowance as part of a €558 million social welfare budget
Employers getting state supports must sign up to post jobs on new online labour exchange
Isme says subsidised bosses signing up to the online portal under a new government plan will still need to find people with the right skills
Analysis: Government’s new pathways to work strategy suggests a move towards a European-style welfare system
It is tempting for people to be cynical about employment initiatives, but many of the targets in previous strategies were achieved
Government probes meat factories and RTÉ on self-employed workers
The Department of Social Protection has been probing allegations of bogus contractors in meat plants and in the national broadcaster
Inmates’ social welfare cut after data checks revealed they were in prison
The Department of Social Protection estimated that it saved €8 million from a number of data-matching exercises up to last September
Under pressure: how Covid-19 shook up the social welfare system
Between investigating PUP fraud and unprecedented numbers of new applications, social protection officials have battled a hugely increased workload since the coronavirus crisis began unfolding last March
It’s time to talk about a new post-Covid social welfare contract
New ideas should be explored that reflect a changed world, including universal basic income
