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The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the start of the National Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2023/24 Season.
The public consultation to reform disability payments in Ireland is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 15 December 2023.
We are aware of fraudulent phone calls and text messages, claiming to be from the department, seeking personal information, for example State Pension details.
DSP staff never ask for such details by phone or text.
If you receive such a call or text, please do not engage with the caller and do not share any part of your PPS number, Bank Account details or any other personal information with them.
If you have provided any such information to a caller that you believe to be a scam call or scam text, please contact the Gardaí immediately. See advice from Gardaí .
We are currently carrying out a review of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). the department has invited the views of key stakeholders and interested parties including the Community and Voluntary organisations, through a number of consultative processes. These include an RSS survey and written submissions from interested parties.
We are currently recruiting for Deciding Officers. Applications are open from Thursday 31 August 2023 with a closing date of Friday 29 September 2023. Further information can be found on our Career’s page here.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced that major changes will be made to the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme following a comprehensive review of both schemes.
You can contact Working Family Payment on 0818 300600 and select option 3 from the available menu. Working Family Payment can also be contacted on 074 9164575.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced a call for applications for a new employment focussed programme for people with disabilities.
The programme, called “WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme”, will run from 2024 to 2028 and has an overall budget of up to €36.29million.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to support to those living in properties directly affected by the recent flooding in County Meath.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has signed into effect regulations which mean that lone parents no longer have to prove that they have made efforts to seek child maintenance from their child’s other parent, when applying for the One Parent Family payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment.
We are providing funding to support anti-poverty groups to organise local, regional or national activities to promote awareness of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and to mark this day in 2023.
The maximum amount of funding which can be awarded to any one project is up to €3,000.00, with a limitation of only one proposal per organisation under this initiative.
The strict deadline for applications is 12:00pm, 18 August 2023
Late applications will not be considered.
Monday 7 August is a Bank Holiday and as a result most social welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 7 August, will now be paid on Friday 4 August instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed Monday 7 August due to the Bank Holiday. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will re-open on Tuesday 8 August.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, have today announced that the Abhaile Scheme is to be extended for a further four years.
The scheme has proven critical in terms of supporting families who find themselves in serious or long-term mortgage arrears and are at risk of losing their homes.
We are currently recruiting for a Principal Officer in Software Engineering. Applications are open from Thursday 20 July 2023 with a closing date of Friday 11 August 2023. Further information can be found on our Career’s page here.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, today hosted the Department’s annual Pre-Budget Forum which offered an important opportunity for community and voluntary groups, trade union and employer representatives to discuss and debate policy issues and present their thoughts and views on the upcoming Budget.
Kildimo Post Office, Co Limerick closed on Wednesday 12 July 2023. Your social welfare payment has been transferred to Pallaskenry Post Office.
If you want to use an alternative Post Office, you can do so by making an application to your relevant department scheme office.
We have been made aware of customers recently receiving text messages fraudulently purporting to be from the department.
These messages often ask customers to open a link and to provide personal information or verify details.
We want to remind the public that we never ask for these details via text messages.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today officially opened our new Intreo Centre in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
The Intreo facility will serve as a ‘one-stop-shop’ - bringing together employment and support services that were previously being delivered in three different locations.
The services available from the new office include:
Public Consultation on the Wage Subsidy Scheme Review is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 21 July 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Public Consultation on the Rural Social Scheme Review is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 30 June 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has confirmed that a dedicated team from the Department of Social Protection is being put in place to provide supports to Tara Mines workers and their families.
Public Consultation on the Rural Social Scheme Review is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 30 June 2023, at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has today opened applications for the 2023 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which has been increased this year to reflect the ongoing Cost of Living challenges.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced an additional €100 per child in Child Benefit payments will be paid today to support 650,000 families with the Cost of Living.
The submissions that were submitted by individuals, organisations and departments for the public consultation on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion: Mid-Term Review have been published and can be found here.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced that the Carer's Support Grant of €1,850 will be paid to 125,000 carers across the country.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien, have announced a pay increase of 5% for supervisors and team leaders of Employment Support Schemes including:
Monday 5 June is a Bank Holiday and as a result most social welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 5 June, will now be paid on Friday 2 June instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed Monday 5 June due to the Bank Holiday. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will re-open on Tuesday 6 June.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys addressed the Annual Carers’ Forum which took place on Wednesday 17 May 2023 at Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street.
The purpose of the Forum is to provide carers with a voice at policy level. It also provides an opportunity for engagement between officials and people experiencing care issues first-hand.
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced that she is seeking expressions of interest from all Primary Schools across Ireland interested in participating in the Hot School Meals Programme.
The responses received will help to inform a policy for the future expansion of the programme.
Today the Central Statistics Office released the monthly unemployment data for April, which at 3.9% is the lowest level seen in 22 years since April 2001. This builds on the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2022) which reported that there are now over 2.57 million people in employment in the State, the highest recorded number since the series began in 1998.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a series of significant reforms to the system in which births and deaths are registered.
The new Bill will:
The Spring cost of living bonus payment was made to eligible people this week.
This was an additional bonus payment of €200 made to approximately 1.25 million eligible customers, in addition to their normal weekly social welfare payment.
The full €200 cost of living payment was paid, but the department is aware that in a small number of cases (in the region of 1% of payees) direct debits agreed through the An Post Household Budgeting system were applied to the bonus payment, in addition to being applied to a person’s normal weekly payment.
The department is working with An Post, the local authorities and housing associations to identify the people affected. In cases where rent was deducted, we are working to recover the amount deducted and arrange for a refund to the affected customers.
For other An Post deductions customers’ benefit from the full value of the payment through an increase in their credit union account balance or a reduction in balances due on household bills.
The department intends that the refunds for rent will be made to customers no later than by the end of May.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, today acknowledged the achievement of significant milestones for the Department’s online services with over 10 million transactions on MyWelfare, in addition to over 20 million engagements through the Welfare Partners portal by business partners.
In most cases, the cost of living bonus payment will be included in normal weekly social welfare payments this week.
In some cases, two payments will be made including:
In these cases, the normal weekly payment and the cost of living bonus payment will both include any deduction which you have previously agreed to, such as:
Monday 1 May is a Bank Holiday and as a result most social welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 1 May, will now be paid on Friday 28 April instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed Monday 1 May due to the Bank Holiday. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will re-open on Tuesday 2 May.
Construction Work and Skills Week 2023 week will take place from 5 -12 May 2023. The Department of Social Protection will host a series of events at various locations throughout the country. These events will provide opportunities to find out more and apply for job vacancies available in the construction and associated sectors.
MyGovID has now resolved the issue. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.
MyGovID is currently experiencing a technical issue which means you may not receive a code to your mobile phone while verifying an account or using a verified account.
We are aware of this issue and are investigating it. We will post an update when the issue has been resolved.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We are aware of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the department. These texts will sometimes seek personal information or ask you to verify details, for example, for Cost of Living Payments.
DSP staff never ask for such details by text.
If you receive a text claiming to be from the department, please do not engage and do not share any part of your PPS number, bank account details or any other personal information.
If you have provided any bank details please contact your bank immediately.
If you have provided any of your personal information, please contact the Gardaí immediately.
The essential maintenance on MyGovID.ie and MyWelfare.ie has now been completed.
Essential maintenance will be carried out on MyGovID.ie and MyWelfare.ie from 7.30am on Thursday 13 April. The MyGovID and MyWelfare websites will not be available during this time. We estimate that this work should take no longer than 2.5 hours.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that a €200 lump sum payment to support with the cost of living will be paid to over 1.3 million people in the week commencing Monday 24 of April.
People will receive their €200 lump sum payment on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment. You can read the full press release here.
The Public Consultation on Important Changes to Social Welfare Appeals Regulations is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 19 May 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has signed new regulations that will ensure Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid in respect of children who remain in hospital following their birth.
You can now apply for an Additional Needs Payment online at MyWelfare.ie
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced landmark plans for the roll-out of the Hot School Meals Programme to every Primary School in Ireland.
Your social welfare payment date may change over the Easter holiday period.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Good Friday, 7 April and Easter Monday, 10 April 2023. All offices will reopen as normal on Tuesday 11 April 2023. Please click here for full details about opening hours
We are currently recruiting for a Medical Assessor. Applications are open from Monday 27 March 2023 with a closing date of Friday 14 April 2023 for the position of Medical Assessor in the Department of Social Protection. Further information can be found on our Career’s page here.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced a series of improvements to Community Employment (CE) Schemes.
CE Schemes play a vital role in both rural and urban communities in terms of supporting people on the road to employment.
There are 835 CE Schemes nationwide delivering a wide range of community services, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
We are currently recruiting for Temporary Clerical Officer positions in Donegal. Applications are open from Monday 20 March 2023 with a closing date of Friday 7 April 2023.
The technical difficulties with our phone service have now been resolved. However, all our Contact Centres are experiencing extremely high call volumes, with much longer wait times than usual. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We are currently experiencing significant technical difficulties with our phone service. As a result, our ability to answer calls is significantly reduced. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Friday 17 March is a Public Holiday and as a result most social welfare payments due to be paid on Friday 17 March will now be paid on Thursday 16 March instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed Friday 17 March due to the Public Holiday. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will re-open on Monday 20 March.
Casual Jobseeker’s are advised of the change in arrangements. More information on these arrangements are available on MyWelfare.ie.
The submission closing date for the Public Consultation on Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers is tomorrow Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
The Public Consultation on the Pathways to Work 2021 – 2025 Strategy is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 31 March 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
February 6 is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any Social Welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 6 February will now be paid on Friday 3 instead. Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 7 February.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 6 February. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday 7 February.
Extended expiration periods for collecting social welfare payments in the post office were introduced as an exceptional measure during COVID-19 related restrictions. Now that restrictions have eased, normal services are resuming.
From 1 February 2023, to ensure you receive your social welfare payment on time, you should collect it from the post office on the same day it is paid. The schemes affected and their payment day are listed in the table below:
| Social welfare payment | Payment day (unless otherwise advised) |
| Farm Assist | Every Tuesday |
| Jobseeker's Allowance | Every Tuesday |
| Jobseeker's Benefit | Every Wednesday |
| Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self-Employed | Every Wednesday |
| Jobseeker's Transitional Payment | Every Thursday |
| Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme | Every Friday |
| One-Parent Family Payment | Every Thursday |
If you are unable to collect your payment at the post office, please contact your Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
As part of the public consultation process, we will host a half-day event on the proposals for a new Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers. You can give your feedback at this event.
This event is a chance to hear more from the department about these proposals and provide your views and feedback.
This event is free of charge and open to all stakeholder groups and members of the public. You will need to register for the event on Eventbrite and get a ticket. Please register for the event here.
The Public Consultation on the development of the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2026 opened is now open. The submission closing date is Tuesday 10 February 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Kevin Street Post Office is closing on Friday 20 January 2023. You can get your social welfare payment at St Andrew Street Post Office
A new online form for reporting suspected social welfare fraud is now live.
Anonymous reports are accepted by accessing this link.
More information about Christmas and New Year social welfare payment dates are available here.
All department offices, including Intreo Centres and Branch Offices, will be closed on Monday 26, Tuesday 27 December 2022 and Monday 2 January 2023.
The technical difficulties with our phone service have now been resolved. However, all our Contact Centres are experiencing high call volumes, with longer wait times than usual. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We are currently experiencing significant technical difficulties with our phone service. As a result, our ability to answer calls is significantly reduced. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused
The essential maintenance carried out on MyGovID is now complete.
Customers can once again create a basic MyGovID account online.
MyGovID is currently undergoing essential maintenance until 3 January 2023 which means that it will not be possible to create new basic MyGovID accounts during this period. If you do not have a verified MyGovID account this will affect how you can apply for social welfare supports online. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced that President Michael D. Higgins has signed the Social Welfare Bill 2022.
The bill introduces over €1 billion in Social Welfare improvements in 2023.
The Social Welfare Budget package is the largest in the history of the State and provides for a range of supports for pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families.
Minister Humphreys announces increased earnings disregards for Disability Allowance and Blind Pension.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today published the first Annual Progress Report of Pathways to Work 2021-2025.
This is the first annual progress report produced by the Labour Market Advisory Council - a group of industry leaders, trade union and labour market experts who are responsible for providing external oversight of the strategy.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced funding of almost €700,000 to support Family Carers across the country.
The Public Consultation on Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers is now open. The submission closing date is Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 5pm. You can read further information here.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the opening of a new online application for the Fuel Allowance scheme.
The new system will support the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme which is expected to see over 80,000 additional households qualify for a payment for the first time.
This year’s Christmas Bonus has been extended to those who have been getting Illness Benefit for 12 months or longer.
If you are a long term Illness Benefit recipient, you will receive your Christmas Bonus between Tuesday 6 December 2022 and Friday 23 December 2022.
The Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, has secured Government approval to extend the Abhaile Scheme until the end of 2023.
The technical difficulties with our phone service have now been resolved. However, all our Contact Centres are experiencing extremely high call volumes, with much longer wait times than usual. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Information on social welfare Christmas and New Year payment arrangements and the Christmas Bonus is now available. Details of all payment arrangements for this period are here.
We are currently experiencing significant technical difficulties with our phone service. As a result, our ability to answer calls is significantly reduced. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a €500 lump sum payment which will be paid this week to support over 114,500 Carers with the Cost of Living.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, have today published the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, have today announced the details of 4 separate lump-sum payments which will be paid this week. The payments will benefit older people, working families and people with disabilities. In total over 865,000 people will benefit from this week’s Cost of Living payments.
Ulster Bank has confirmed they are starting to freeze some current and deposit accounts from Friday 11 November 2022.
If you are still getting a social welfare payment into an Ulster Bank account please contact us to change your payment details as soon as possible. The quickest and easiest way for you to change your details is at MyWelfare.ie. If you are impacted by these closures you can contact the scheme area for your payment.
For queries in relation to your Ulster Bank account, you can contact Ulster Bank on 0818 210 260 or 00353 1804 7475 if calling from abroad.
Monday October 31 is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any Social Welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 31 October will now be paid on Friday 28 October instead. Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 1 November.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 31 October. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday 1 November.
The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit came to an end on Friday 30 September 2022.
If you have received a COVID-19 diagnosis or have been advised to self-isolate and have medical certification from your GP, you can still apply for Illness Benefit. If you meet the qualifying conditions, you may be entitled to a standard rate Illness Benefit payment.
If you are in receipt of Enhanced Illness Benefit for a period before and after 30 September 2022, your payment may reduce or stop from the 1 October 2022 based on your contribution history.
Budget 2023 provides almost €2.2 billion in a package of measures that will assist people with the cost of living. Read the full press release here.
The Enhanced Illness Benefit for COVID-19 will come to an end on the Friday 30 September 2022.
If you have received a COVID-19 diagnosis or been advised to self-isolate and have medical certification from your GP, you can still apply for Illness Benefit. If you meet the qualifying conditions, you may be entitled to a standard rate Illness Benefit payment.
If you are in receipt of Enhanced Illness Benefit for a period before and after 30 September 2022, your payment may reduce or stop from the 1 October 2022 based on your contribution history.
Contracted Public Employment Services and how you are being supported in your job search are changing.
From 31 August 2022 the Local Employment Services are coming to an end.
While these services are ending, some of the organisations that were providing these services will now be providing the new Intreo Partners local employment services that is aimed at supporting you in finding a job.
For further information on these changes please contact your Local Employment Service advisor or your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has said her department will support householders affected by the severe flooding in Wexford.
If you need to make enquiries about available supports, please contact the department at:
We are aware of fraudulent phone calls and text messages, claiming to be from the department, seeking personal information, for example State Pension details.
DSP staff never ask for such details by phone or text.
If you receive such a call or text, please do not engage with the caller and do not share any part of your PPS number, Bank Account details or any other personal information with them.
If you have provided any such information to a caller that you believe to be a scam call or scam text, please contact the Gardaí immediately. See advice from Gardaí .
Monday 1 August is a Bank Holiday and as a result most Social Welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 1 August will now be paid on Friday 29 July instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 1 August. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be open as normal on Tuesday 2 August.
If you get a social welfare payment into an Ulster Bank or KBC Bank account, you will need to update your details with the department.
Please note that with effect from 12 July the new number for Domiciliary Care Allowance is 0818 927770.
Please note that with effect from 11 July the new number for all Working Family Payment queries is 074 9164575.
The government has announced measures designed to help families with school-going children returning to school in September. These measures are:
These are temporary measures for the current school year only.
From today, parents can now avail of 7 weeks' paid Parent’s Leave and Parent's Benefit, as part of measures introduced by Ministers Heather Humphreys and Roderic O’Gorman.
The measures will see the number of weeks that parents can take time off work, with financial support from the State, increase from 5 weeks to 7 weeks.
Minister Humphreys and Minister O’Brien have today announced major reforms to Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme.
Also today, the application process for the ex-gratia payment for Community Employment Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors has been opened.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme for 2022 is now open for new applications.
If you believe your family are eligible, but have not received a letter of confirmation by the end of June, you will need to apply online by 30 September 2022.
A small number of social welfare payments are delayed by one day this week due to a system error. This may impact your payment date.
Some of the payments affected are Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment, Working Family Payment and Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.
If you are paid into your bank account, the payment will be in your account on Wednesday.
If you are collecting your payment at the Post Office, this will be available to collect on Thursday.
If you are paid by cheque on Thursday, this payment will be with you on Friday.
From 1 June 2022, the COVID-19 Part Time Job Incentive for the Self-Employed Scheme (PTSE) is no longer operational. All existing PTSE claims will be closed from this date. The last payment was 31 May 2022.
Monday 6 June is a Bank Holiday and as a result most Social Welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 6 June will now be paid on Friday 3 June instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 6 June. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be open as normal on Tuesday 7 June.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a revamp of the Treatment Benefit Scheme, which will benefit almost 80,000 young people aged 25-28 years old.
An additional Fuel Allowance payment of €100 will be made from 16 May 2022. This payment will be made automatically if you are already on the Fuel Allowance scheme.
It is not necessary to apply for the payment.
Bettystown Post Office is closed until further notice.
You will be able to access your social welfare payments at Laytown Post Office from later today.
A new Redundancy Calculator has been launched on MyWelfare.ie.
You can use the Redundancy Calculator to estimate your statutory redundancy entitlements. Please see Redundancy Payments Scheme for further information.
To access the new Redundancy Calculator, visit www.MyWelfare.ie/redundancycalculator.
Monday 2 May is a Bank Holiday and as a result most Social Welfare payments due to be paid on Monday 2 May will now be paid on Friday 29 April instead.
All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be open as normal on Tuesday 3 May.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has doubled the time which Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer’s Allowance are paid for children who are hospitalised.
The supports will be paid for 26 weeks to the parents or guardians of children under 16 who are hospitalised for up to six months.
The technical difficulties with our phone lines have now been resolved and there should be no problems getting through to our services.
All Ukraine Support Centres will be open on Good Friday 15 April 2022 from 9.15am until 3pm. The Ukraine Support Centres will be closed on Easter Monday, 18 April 2022.
Please be advised that we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our phone service. As a result, our ability to answer calls is significantly reduced. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
A technical review of the Farm Assist Scheme has been completed in line with commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, and in the Our Rural Future, Rural Development Policy 2021-2025. You can read the full report here.
Your social welfare payment date may change over the Easter holiday period.
Public Consultation on the Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants is now open. The submission closing date is Friday 29 April at 5pm. You can read further information here.
Minister Humphreys announces details of Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System. Read the full press release here.
From 23 March, a new Ukraine Support Centre in Limerick is open in addition to the Ukraine Support Centres in Dublin and Cork City.
| Cork and Dublin | Limerick | |
| Monday | 9.15am - 5pm | 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9.15am - 5pm | 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9.15am - 5pm | 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10.15am - 5pm | 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm |
| Friday | 9.15am - 4.30pm | 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 4.30pm |
In addition to the reception hub set up at Dublin Airport, the government has set up Ukrainian Support Centres in Dublin and Cork City.
The centres will assist Ukrainians in obtaining PPS Numbers, availing of Social Welfare income supports, and receiving referrals to other State services.
These centres are located at:
They will be open on:
From Monday 21 March, opening hours will be:
| Monday | 9.15am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9.15am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9.15am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10.15am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9.15am - 4.30pm |
We have also extended the opening hours of some of our Intreo Centres to provide access to PPS Numbers and income supports to people fleeing from Ukraine:
Your social welfare payment date may change over the March bank holiday period.
As part of the Government’s response to the rising energy costs, an additional payment of €125.00 is to be paid to all recipients of the Fuel Allowance scheme, who have an entitlement to the scheme during the week 14th March 2022 to 18th March 2022.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is coming to an end following the reopening of workplaces. If you are currently on this payment you will have received information on how the change affects you and what welfare supports are available. See more information.
Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive are available. See further information.
The department can confirm that the below issue has been resolved and all payments have been made.
We were informed by An Post this morning that there was an issue with their payment processing. This resulted in a delay for some social welfare payments today. This is only affecting customers with An Post accounts.
An Post have stated that they are in the process of resolving this issue. This is taking longer than initially expected. They hope to have all payments in customer’s accounts by this evening.
From 28 February 2022, symptomatic people who are required to self isolate as a result of COVID-19, in accordance with HSE Public Health guidelines will require an electronic or paper Certificate of Incapacity for Work from a GP to apply for the payment. See further information on Enhanced Illness Benefit.
Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice Update
We wish to remind the public that our staff remain available to assist anyone experiencing difficulties due to these storm and weather alerts.
Phone lines, email and MyWelfare services will operate as usual.
In areas where a red weather warning is in place, Department of Social Protection offices will remain closed until 11am on Friday 18 February. This will be monitored in line with the weather warnings.
When a red warning is lifted, or where red warnings are not currently in place, Department offices will remain open and provide a vital service to you.
Where orange weather warnings are in place, DSP offices will operate us usual and the situation will be closely monitored.
Help with Heating Costs
Are you on a low income, or depending on a social welfare payment and need help with your heating bills?
You could qualify for an Exceptional Needs Payment which is available from our Community Welfare Service under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
To contact or access the Community Welfare Service in your area, you should phone your local Intreo Centre and speak with a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) to request an application form or make an appointment for a consultation. Consultations with a CWO are available via phone, at our Intreo Centres and, if necessary, a direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on your circumstances.
Applications for Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) are dealt with quickly. Customers no longer have to meet in person with a Community Welfare Officer in order to make a claim. This means that if you require assistance urgently, you no longer need to wait to visit your local Intreo Centre in person. Just phone and ask for an application form to be sent to you.
From 22 January 2022 the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is closed to new applicants.
For further information please see here.
If you were getting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and are still eligible, your payment will continue and is unaffected by this closure.
We are receiving high volumes of Enhanced Illness Benefit for COVID-19 applications as a result of the transmission of the Omicron variant. Currently 90% of these applications are being processed within a week. However, applications that require a manual intervention are taking approximately two weeks to process, but please be assured we will get to your application.
To support a quick turnaround we have allocating additional resources to this work as a priority. Telephone lines are also very busy so if you are contacting us by phone you may experience a longer than usual wait time.
We are working to process all claims as quickly as possible. We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for Enhanced Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences is online at www.MyWelfare.ie
To search for content on our old departmental website, please click here.
The department has updated its Privacy Statement here to present information in an expanded set of headings and to provide additional information to address the deficiencies in the previous Privacy Statement as identified by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) in respect of the processing of personal data including in respect of identity authentication (SAFE 2 registration) and the Public Services Card (PSC).