There will be no €5 increase in the old-age pension or any return to the top €350-a-week pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) in next month’s budget, senior ministers have warned. With 13 days until the budget, while many decisions remain to be finalised, the central pillars have been agreed. At a private meeting of its parliamentary party last night, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the budget will respond to the twin threats of Covid and Brexit. He told party colleagues that housing, climate, and broadband will be given priority in terms of capital spending. Mr Martin also singled out the hospitality sector as one which is likely to get targeted supports in the budget.

Source: Irish Examiner September 30, 2020 05:26 UTC