Social Justice Ireland calls for welfare system reform

Social Justice Ireland (SJI) is calling on the next Government to use the Covid-19 illness payment as a basis to reform the social welfare system.

The Think Tank says the increase in the emergency payment to €350 per week is an acceptance that the rate of €203 in benefit per week is not enough. 

Social Justice Ireland says the basic Jobseekers Allowance of €81 is below the poverty line and rather than reducing the Covid-19 payment, the social welfare system should be reformed.

SJI is calling for welfare rates to be indexed to the minimum essential budget standard.

It has called on the new Government for a reform of the social welfare system. 

It says it will give certainty to people on fixed incomes and ensure that the weakest in society are not left behind again.