Latest news with #SocialProtectionOireachtasCommittee
The Journal
12 hours ago
- 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
19-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Over 3,000 people in Cork in receipt of unemployment payment for over 12 months or longer
Figures released to the chairperson of the Social Protection Oireachtas Committee, Deputy John Paul O'Shea showed that overall 47,764 people nationally were in receipt of the Jobseeker's Allowance payment with 3,365 people in Cork in receipt of an unemployment payment for over a year. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O'Shea who recently obtained a county-by-county breakdown of those in receipt of an unemployment payment expressed serious concerns over the figures. 'At a time when small businesses all across the country are crying out for staff, it's hard to fathom why anybody would be in receipt of an unemployment payment for over a year. Yet figures from the Department of Social Protection show that 47,764 have been in receipt of a Jobseekers' Allowance payment for over 12 months.' 'We have record employment levels in Ireland,' said the Cork TD. 'There is a job out there for everybody that wants one. We need to seriously ask the question, why are some people still not entering the workforce? 'There are a plethora of supports in place to help people with further education, training and reskilling. We also have programmes like Community Employment and the Work Placement Experience Programme which help people get hands on work experience,' he added. Deputy O'Shea said the reasons behind the figures need to be examined in more detail. 'Are there welfare traps which are acting as a disincentive to people taking up employment? Do we need to examine the penalty rates for those who refuse to engage with back to work supports?' Mr O'Shea reiterated his belief that a major focus is required to get long term jobseekers back to work. 'There are small businesses in towns and villages across the country who cannot get staff particularly in the hospitality sector as we approach the busy summer season.' Deputy O'Shea called on the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to publish a comprehensive new employment strategy to tackle the issue of long-term unemployment. 'I am calling on Minister Calleary to publish a comprehensive new employment strategy which focuses on intensive engagement with those who are long term unemployed. 'We should not be complacent because Ireland is at full employment. If anything now is the time to redouble our efforts so we can help address labour shortages in the economy by supporting those most distant from the labour market into the workforce,' he added.
