The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs published his Department's rates of payment booklet yesterday which contains the increased rates of social welfare payments as announced in the Budget. Most of the social welfare payments increases are taking place between May 27th and next Friday.
Mr Ahern said he was pleased the increased payments would be paid for most schemes this week and that the rates would be paid for 31 weeks in 1998, compared to 29 weeks in 1997. provided for a catch-up increase of £5 a week in the maximum personal rates of all payments for pensioners aged 66 and over, with pro-rata increases for older people on reduced rate contributory pensions.