Some 24,876 pensioners in Limerick will see an increase in their weekly payment from this week, a Fine Gael Senator said.
Senator Byrne said: โFrom Monday March 26th, the State pension will be increased by โฌ5 per week for those on maximum weekly rates, with proportionate increases for those on reduced rates.
โOur pensioners have, and continue to make a significant contribution to society. The Budget 2018 increase of โฌ5 per week again for those on maximum weekly rates makes a total increase of โฌ13 per week over the last 3 Fine Gael budgets.
โPrior to that pensioners hadnโt seen any increases since 2009.
โIn a further support for the older members of our communities, a new weekly Telephone Support Allowance will be paid from June to those receiving the Living Alone Allowance, and the weekly Fuel Allowance of โฌ22.50 will be paid for 27 weeks in 2018, extended from 26 weeks.
โAn extra โฌ10 million is being provided towards the Free Travel Scheme in 2018, increasing the funding to โฌ90 million.โ
Senator Byrne continued: โThese supports are part of a raft of measures to create a brighter future for those who need it most in our communities here in Limerick.
โFrom Monday 26th March, there will also be a โฌ5 increase in the maximum rate of all weekly payments for lone parents, jobseekers, carers, people with disabilities, widows, and people on employment programmes.
โA โฌ2 increase for each qualified dependent child will be made in all weekly payments โ the first such increase since 2010.
โDependent adult and people on reduced rate payments will receive proportionate increases while younger jobseekers, aged 26 and under, on reduced rates will receive the full โฌ5 increase.
โThese supports continue the process of building a fairer and more inclusive society, incentivise and reward work and strengthen welfare supports for those who may need them.โ
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