Child benefit and welfare rates to be cut 9th December 2009 The Finance Minister has announced cuts of just over 4% in social welfare rates and cuts in child benefit. There will be no changes in the old age pension. For new applicants, the rate of Job-Seekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance for those aged 20 and 21 who have no children will be cut to €100 a week. For those aged 22-24, the rate falls to €150 a week. Child benefit will come down by €16 a month for the first child, with compensation payments for those on social welfare. The lower rate comes down to €150, the higher rate to €187. The Minister said he had hoped to make child benefit taxable, but there were legal and logistical reasons why this could not be done now. He defended the cuts, saying child benefit cost €2.5bn or 12% of the welfare budget this year. There will also be a prescription charge of 50 cent per item under the medical card scheme to cut the State's medicines bill. There will also be a prescription charge of 50 cent per item under the medical card scheme to cut the State's medicines bill. The monthly threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme goes up from €100 to €120. Get Listed on MyChildcare.ie today....Sign Up Here
