Some 64,573 pensioners in Cork will see an increase in their weekly payment from this week, confirmed An Tánaiste Simon Coveney, while speaking at a Brexit Briefing in West Cork today.
The Cork South Central TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney said: “From Monday March 26th, the State pension will be increased by €5 per week for those on maximum weekly rates, with proportionate increases for those on reduced rates. Our pensioners have, and continue to make a significant contribution to society. The Budget 2018 increase of €5 per week again for those on maximum weekly rates makes a total increase of €13 per week over the last 3 Fine Gael budgets.
Prior to that pensioners hadn’t seen any increases since 2009.
“In a further support for the older members of our communities, a new weekly Telephone Support Allowance will be paid from June to those receiving the Living Alone Allowance, and the weekly Fuel Allowance of €22.50 will be paid for 27 weeks in 2018, extended from 26 weeks.
“An extra €10 million is being provided towards the Free Travel Scheme in 2018, increasing the funding to €90 million.”
Minister Coveney continued: “These supports are part of a raft of measures to create a brighter future for those who need it most in our communities here in Cork.
“From Monday 26th March, there will also be a €5 increase in the maximum rate of all weekly payments for lone parents, jobseekers, carers, people with disabilities, widows, and people on employment programmes.
“A €2 increase for each qualified dependent child will be made in all weekly payments – the first such increase since 2010.
“Dependent adult and people on reduced rate payments will receive proportionate increases while younger jobseekers, aged 26 and under, on reduced rates will receive the full €5 increase.
“These supports continue the process of building a fairer and more inclusive society, incentivise and reward work and strengthen welfare supports for those who may need them.”