The Joint Committee on Social Protection, chaired by Independent TD Denis Naughten, has made 31 recommendations in its pre-budget submission to Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys. Photograph: Arsenis Spyros/iStockAn all-party Oireachtas committee has called for across-the-board increases in social welfare and a substantial widening of the fuel allowance scheme to allay the cost of living crisis and spiralling energy costs.
It also recommends that eligibility for fuel allowances be increased by four weeks to total of 32 weeks. It also says that everyone earning less than €140 per week over the social welfare rates should also be entitled to fuel allowance. Those earning between €140 and €280 more per week than the social welfare rate should be entitled to a new half rate fuel allowance, it continues.
The report states: “It is essential that the Government commit to benchmarking social welfare payments and minimum wages to an adequate level and in line with living costs in the long run.https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/2022/08/30/budget-2023-what-you-can-expect-from-housing-to-taxes/“Ireland’s poverty rates show that the operational disparities that persist in society leave some people at a much higher risk of facing difficulties.