The finance minister today unveiled the 2021 government budget, which plans to spend a total of 17.75 billion euros, the largest budget package in the country’s history.
Social Welfare, no change in key welfare rates, but the benefit for children under the care of unemployed wage earners or low-income earners will increase to 2 euros per week for children under 12 and 5 euros per week for children over 12. The pension age will remain at 66.
Self-employed people with pandemic unemployment payments can earn up to 480 a month without losing their pay.
Illness benefits will be available in three days instead of the current six days.
This year a one-week Christmas bonus will be given to welfare payments for up to four months until December, including PUP recipients.