Here’s the good news: Social welfare payments, as promised in last October’s Budget statement, will be higher this week. That means there will be more help for those receiving state pensions, for the jobless, and for households with young children. The answer must be no, since the pension, dole, and child benefit payment will increase by a less than eye-watering €5 a week. It will be enough to buy an extra few litres of petrol, a bottle of plonk, or local beer, as an additional treat, and almost — but not quite — a decent joint of beef. We are sure readers will find this age-old and wise advice unwarranted, but we’ll offer it anyway: Don’t spend it all at once!

Source: Irish Examiner March 26, 2018 23:03 UTC