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Dublin Live
09-07-2025
- Business
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: TD says €12 dole rise in Budget 'not feasible' as row deepens
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Nearly 13,500 people have been on Jobseekers Allowance for over five years, with nearly 5,000 on the payment for a decade or more, new figures have revealed. It comes as the coalition is on yet another collision course over whether to increase pension rates and the social welfare rates to the same extent during Budget 2026. John Paul O'Shea, a Fine Gael TD and Chairman of the powerful Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, stated a €12 dole rise "will not be feasible" in October's budget as he said there is "no reason" why people should be on the payment for more than 12 months. Last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris suggested that he was "not convinced that you need to see as significant a rise in the dole as you do on the pension, for example, at the time when our country's in full employment and there's lots of supports out there for people getting into work". However, speaking in Japan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned against creating distinctions and said that Fine Gael had never proposed the idea of differing increases. This is despite senior Fine Gael sources confirming to the Irish Mirror that it was put forward by then Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys as an option. New figures provided to the Irish Mirror by the Department of Social Protection confirmed that 46,940 people had been on Jobseeker's Allowance for more than one year. Some 9,809 people have been receiving the payment for between two and three years, while 5,066 people have been on Jobseekers for three to four years. Another 2,784 people have been receiving the weekly payment for four to five years. In total, 13,391 people have been on Jobseekers for more than five years. Of these, 8,487 people have been in receipt of it for more than five years, while 4,904 have been classified as unemployed for a decade or more. Deputy O'Shea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North-West and chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, told the Irish Mirror that "there is no reason why people should be on Jobseekers for longer than 12 months". When asked if he agreed with the Tánaiste's suggestion that social protection rates and pensions did not need to be increased at the same rate as part of Budget 2026, he said, "Absolutely". He continued: "We obviously went and gave everyone on social welfare benefits €12 of [an] increase last year. I don't think that is feasible this year, given the conversations we've had only last week in terms of trying to fund the [third level] student contribution fee as part of Government next year. "A €1 increase [to social welfare payments] would actually pay for the whole of the entire student contribution fee that's required. "I don't [know] why we should be prioritising job seekers who are on Jobseekers for over 12 months, and not to mention five years or 10 years, on the basis of the other requirements we have to fund within budget." At a press conference on Monday following the Government's Competitiveness Summit, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers declined to wade into the potential budget clash between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. He said: "[Social Protection] Minister [Dara] Calleary will obviously examine the different supports that exist in the social protection system and how best to prioritise that in the context of Budget 2026. "One component is obviously Jobseekers. There's Disability Allowance, Carers and obviously pension supports as well. "It's within that context that he'll have to assess what the relative increases will be as part of next year's budget. "But it will be in a different fiscal context than we've seen in previous years, and that means every minister will have to prioritise the increased supports they want to see for different areas that they're responsible for." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
TD says €12 dole rise in Budget 'not feasible' as social welfare row deepens
Nearly 13,500 people have been on Jobseekers Allowance for over five years, with nearly 5,000 on the payment for a decade or more, new figures have revealed. It comes as the coalition is on yet another collision course over whether to increase pension rates and the social welfare rates to the same extent during Budget 2026. John Paul O'Shea, a Fine Gael TD and Chairman of the powerful Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, stated a €12 dole rise 'will not be feasible' in October's budget as he said there is 'no reason' why people should be on the payment for more than 12 months. Last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris suggested that he was 'not convinced that you need to see as significant a rise in the dole as you do on the pension, for example, at the time when our country's in full employment and there's lots of supports out there for people getting into work'. However, speaking in Japan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned against creating distinctions and said that Fine Gael had never proposed the idea of differing increases. This is despite senior Fine Gael sources confirming to the Irish Mirror that it was put forward by then Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys as an option. New figures provided to the Irish Mirror by the Department of Social Protection confirmed that 46,940 people had been on Jobseeker's Allowance for more than one year. Some 9,809 people have been receiving the payment for between two and three years, while 5,066 people have been on Jobseekers for three to four years. Another 2,784 people have been receiving the weekly payment for four to five years. In total, 13,391 people have been on Jobseekers for more than five years. Of these, 8,487 people have been in receipt of it for more than five years, while 4,904 have been classified as unemployed for a decade or more. Deputy O'Shea, Fine Gael TD for Cork North-West and chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, told the Irish Mirror that 'there is no reason why people should be on Jobseekers for longer than 12 months'. When asked if he agreed with the Tánaiste's suggestion that social protection rates and pensions did not need to be increased at the same rate as part of Budget 2026, he said, 'Absolutely'. He continued: 'We obviously went and gave everyone on social welfare benefits €12 of [an] increase last year. I don't think that is feasible this year, given the conversations we've had only last week in terms of trying to fund the [third level] student contribution fee as part of Government next year. 'A €1 increase [to social welfare payments] would actually pay for the whole of the entire student contribution fee that's required. 'I don't [know] why we should be prioritising job seekers who are on Jobseekers for over 12 months, and not to mention five years or 10 years, on the basis of the other requirements we have to fund within budget.' At a press conference on Monday following the Government's Competitiveness Summit, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers declined to wade into the potential budget clash between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. He said: '[Social Protection] Minister [Dara] Calleary will obviously examine the different supports that exist in the social protection system and how best to prioritise that in the context of Budget 2026. 'One component is obviously Jobseekers. There's Disability Allowance, Carers and obviously pension supports as well. 'It's within that context that he'll have to assess what the relative increases will be as part of next year's budget. 'But it will be in a different fiscal context than we've seen in previous years, and that means every minister will have to prioritise the increased supports they want to see for different areas that they're responsible for.'
Extra.ie
23-06-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Almost 20,000 families benefit from new baby grant
Almost 20,000 families have benefited from the newborn baby grant introduced in the last budget, the head of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee has claimed. The grant of €280 was announced as part of Budget 2025 and is paid to families with babies born or adopted after December 1 last year, in addition to their regular monthly child benefit payment of €140. Fine Gael TD John Paul O'Shea, chairman of the Oireachtas Social Protection Committee, obtained figures showing the new grant has been paid in respect of 19,750 babies so far. Almost 20,000 families have benefited from the newborn baby grant introduced in the last budget. (Photo by: ASTIER/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Dublin had the highest number with 5,327 newborn baby grants paid up to June while Leitrim had the lowest with 115. Cork is in second place with 2,371, followed by Galway in third on 1,156 and Kildare with 1,056. Mr O'Shea said: 'The newborn baby grant was introduced in last year's Budget to help families with the costs of a new arrival. 'The grant demonstrates our continued commitment to putting money back in peoples' pockets and ensuring all children have positive experiences and get off to a great start in life.' A medical worker is caring for a newborn 'dragon baby' in the maternity department of Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Shandong province, China, on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) He added: 'Looking after a new baby is a busy, costly and stressful time for families. The good news is the grant is paid automatically with your child benefit payment. 'This grant has been introduced to support young families but we need to do more. 'I want to see key commitments in the Programme for Government, such as the introduction of pay-related parents benefit, progressed so we can provide further support to young families.'
The Journal
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Almost 20,000 families have received the new newborn grant
THE NEWLY INTRODUCED 'newborn grant' has been paid out to almost 20,000 families since its introduction in the last budget, a Fine Gael TD has announced today. The grant is a one-off payment of €280, and is paid to families of babies born or adopted after 1 December 2024. The grant is in addition to their regular first month's Child Benefit, which is half that at €140. The new grant is paid automatically with the first month of Child Benefit payment, so parents of new babies do not need to apply for it. John Paul O'Shea, the chairperson of the Social Protection Oireachtas Committee, said that he had obtained figures showing the grant had been paid in respect of 19,750 babies to date. Advertisement Dublin had the highest number of newborn babies – 5327 grants were paid up until June. Leitrim had the lowest with just 115 grants paid to families in the county. O'Shea said of the grant, 'the arrival of a new baby is a joyful time for families but it's also an expensive time.' He added that the grant demonstrates the government's 'continued commitment' to 'putting money back in peoples' pockets'. He said that although the grant has introduced to support young families, the government needs to do more. It is estimated that in 2025, the grant will be paid in respect of some 54,000 children, at a cost of approximately €15 million. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Cork garda station re-opens after year-long refurbishment project
Corkman Coachford Garda Station officially reopened on Friday, June 13 following a 12-month refurbishment project. The garda station was officially re-opened by Assistant Commissioner Eileen Foster. At the official re-opening, Ms Foster welcomed Kevin 'Boxer' Moran who is the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure. Local Cork TDs John Paul O'Shea (Fine Gael) and Aindrias Moynihan (Fianna Fáil) were also in attendance along with other elected representatives. Chief Superintendents Vincent O'Sullivan and Johanna O'Leary were also present on the day along with members from the local community of Coachford. The public office will be open to members of the community between 10am and 1pm daily with two gardaí and a sergeant returning to the station. Coachford Garda Station is now wheelchair accessible and a loop system has been installed to assist people with hearing impairments. The building has also been brought up to an A rated energy-efficiency standard. Deputy John Paul O'Shea said he was 'delighted' to attend the official opening of the refurbished garda station. 'Many thanks to Minister 'Boxer' Moran for attending and for all the gardai for their work in Coachford. I was delighted to attend the opening of the refurbished garda station in Coachford.' The modernisation of Coachford Garda Station falls in line with the Modernization and Renewal Programme launched by An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organization can meet present and future policing and security challenges. It also provides effective supports for gardaí to enable them to work effectively in delivering the national policing and security service. The station can be reached on 021-7334002. In an emergency, always dial 999 or 112.
