Wealthy people could receive higher social welfare payments when they lose their jobs, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys. 

Under plans being considered by her Department, an individual’s Jobseeker's Benefit would be 60% of their salary up to a maximum of €450 a week - the present rate is €220.

“We’re putting this out to consultation and bringing it to Government on Wednesday,” Minister Humphreys told Newstalk. 

“There’s a strawman proposal and I’m going to hear all the different views there. 

“But I do think the principle of those who pay in should be rewarded when they find themselves in that awful situation where they’re lost their jobs.” 

The Social Welfare Office on Thomas Street, Dublin.

Colette Bennett, Economic and Social Analyst with Social Justice Ireland, said the Government should focus its efforts on the most vulnerable. 

“If what is necessary is €450 a week to live on, then we need to be looking at how do we make that fair for everybody?” she said. 

“How do we make sure that those who are most marginalised [and] can least absorb income shocks are actually being protected in a social insurance system that should be designed to do exactly that.”

Main image: Minister Heather Humphreys speaks at a Budget 2022 press conference in October 2021. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie