The new social welfare payment has been given the green light

Both Houses of the Oireachtas have given the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 the green light this week.

The bill will now be presented to President Higgins for signing.

Those on the current Jobseekers' Benefit receive a flat rate of €232 per week.

However, the new changes will see the rate alter depending on a person's PRSI.

People who have made at least five years of PRSI contributions will receive a maximum of €450 or 60% of their prior income.

This rate will then be paid for the first three months.

The second rate of €375 or 55% of your prior income will be paid for the following three months.

€300 or 50% of your previous income will be paid for the final three months.

Humphreys believes the changes will support people more following job loss as they won't experience “that cliff edge drop in their income”.

She stated: "Under these major reforms, people who have a strong work history and who have contributed to the system via their PRSI will receive higher benefits if they find themselves out of work.

"What I’m proposing is if you found yourself unemployed that you would get a payment that is commensurate with the length of time you have been working," she added.

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