Leo Varadkar’s last act as Minister for Social Protection.
Adults and children living in direct provision in Ireland will benefit from weekly welfare increases from August onwards.
According to the Irish Times, adults will receive an extra €2.50 per week and children will receive an extra €6 per week in a move that soon-to-be Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald will be seeking approval for from the cabinet.
As a result, adults and children living in direct provision will receive €21.60 from August onwards, with over 4,000 people in Ireland set to benefit from the payments, which will come at a cost of €770,000 per annum.
Commenting on the move, Leo Varadkar said he believed it was “an important measure” that will be seen “as a small gesture to migrants”.
“The Tánaiste and I believe this is an important measure,” Varadkar said.
“The increases will benefit everyone living within the Direct Provision system by providing more disposable income.”
“I hope this measure will be seen as a small gesture to migrants that the Government will be more compassionate to their needs and sensitive to their aspirations in the future.”
Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said of the move: “This is a major breakthrough for the most vulnerable groups of children in Ireland. The incoming Taoiseach is to be commended for instigating these increases as his last actions as Minister for Social Protection.
“It is very positive to see our incoming Taoiseach taking proactive steps to reduce the numbers of children experiencing poverty and social exclusion. Children in Direct Provision have told us about the shame of living with very little. This increase will make a difference to their childhood.
“Credit is also due to the Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald TD; Minister of State, David Stanton TD and the officials in both Departments for their support in securing this increase.”
Varadkar, meanwhile, also announced an increase in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
From July onwards, the allowance for children aged four to 11 will increase from €100 to €125 and from €200 to €250 for children aged 12 and over; approximately 108,000 families will benefit as a result.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
