€10-A-WEEK RISE FOR OAPS & JOBSEEKERS

SEVERAL grants and welfare payments have had either their eligibilty expanded or payments increased in Budget 2026, Ministers Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers, announced yesterday.

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In presenting the Budget package, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe stated the universal cost of living payments from previous budgets “must be replaced by more targeted measures”.

A number of changes to social welfare were confirmed, including increases in payments and various alterations to eligibility. Here's everything you need to know.

All universal social welfare payments, including the state pension and jobseekers, have seen a rise of €10 per week.