650,000 families to get extra €100 per child benefit on Tuesday

650,000 families would receive an additional €100 per child in Child Benefit payments, the Department of Social Protection has announced. Families will get the payment as additional help on Tuesday in a measure aimed at helping families with the cost-of-living crisis. The proposal, which was included in Budget 2023, will benefit more than 1.2 million … Read more

€200 cost-of-living payment to be given to 1.3 million people this week

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has outlined the payment details of the €200 Cost of Living Support, which will be paid to some 1.3 million people this week. Payments totalling €260 million will be made to groups such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and working families. Recipients will receive €200 in … Read more

Family carers across Ireland to benefit from newly announced funding worth €700k

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has today announced funding of almost €700,000 to support Family Carers across the country. The initiative, under the Dormant Accounts Fund, will place a special focus on empowering Carers to avail of training and education opportunities. There has been a positive response from Carers organisations to the initiative, following … Read more

New expanded fuel allowance scheme opens for applications

The government’s new expanded fuel allowance scheme has now opened for applications.  The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, today (December 5) announced the news, which is expected to benefit over 80,000 additional households qualifying for payment for the first time.  Currently, over 370,000 households receive a Fuel Allowance payment of €33 per week.  As … Read more

Over 114,000 people set to receive €500 one-time payment this week

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced a €500 lump sum payment which will be paid this week to support over 114,500 carers with the cost of living. This payment is one of eight lump sum payments designed to support families and households over the winter months. The €500 Carer’s Support payment will be … Read more

Fuel Allowance to be paid for 28 weeks to 371,000 households across the country

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced the start of the National Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2022/23 Season. The €400 lump-sum payment for all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will be paid on the week commencing November 14th. The additional payment was announced as part of Budget 2023, bringing the … Read more

Pension age remains at 66, carers included in new reforms

The State pension age will remain at 66 and people will be offered the choice to work until 70 in return for higher payments. Long-term carers will also be provided with a pension for the first time. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system … Read more

€2.75m for community projects in rural Ireland

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today (Tuesday, 13 September) announced over €2.75 million in funding to support 74 community projects nationwide. Under the CLÁR Programme, sports clubs, schools and community groups will receive grants of up to €50,000 to develop a range of projects that will benefit people of all ages. … Read more

26 Irish towns and villages to benefit from €2.6m streetscape enhancement fund

26 towns and villages across Ireland are set to benefit from a €2.6 million fund to enhance streetscapes and shopfronts.  Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, made the announcement, which will see communities all over the country benefitting from upgraded building facades, artwork, murals, lighting and street furniture.  Each town will receive €100,000 … Read more

Local Improvement Scheme funding for roadworks across Ireland doubled to €22 million

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced that she is doubling the funding available this year for the upgrade of rural laneways and non-public roads to €22million. The funding is being provided as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious policy for rural development. The announcement will see counties receive … Read more

€6 million allocated for adventure projects

Almost €6 million has been allocated to develop 200 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has announced. The funding, which will be used to improve mountain trails, forest walks, rivers, lakes, and beaches, is intended as part of an effort to encourage the public to “discover hidden gems … Read more

Over €3 million in funding for 46 libraries nationwide

Funding of more than €3 million is set to be invested in 46 library branches across the country, extending the opening hours of many nationwide. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €3.1 million in 46 library branches across the country. Some €2.2 million in funding will be provided to … Read more

New grants of up to €1,000 for medical contact lenses

Grants of up to €1,000 towards the cost of medically required contact lenses are to be made available every two years for employees and the self-employed. The new measures will be announced on Friday by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys. Previously, this support was provided every four years to workers who required contact lenses … Read more

Back-to-school allowance to increase by 100 euro per child in Ireland

The Government has announced that the back-to-school allowance is to increase by 100 euros per child, as part of a 67 million euro package announced to help with the cost-of-living crisis. The €67 million package includes €50 million for Social Welfare Measures and an additional €17 million for Education Measures. The announcement was made by … Read more

€4.9 million air service contract announced for the Aran Island

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced the awarding of a new €4.9 million air service contract for the Aran Islands (Oileáin Árainn). The Aran Islands are set to benefit from a new €4.9 million air service contract which will last until 2026. For the first time, the contract ensures the provision … Read more