Benefit payments to be late due to strike

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has today warned that some benefit payments will be issued later than normal next…

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has today warned that some benefit payments will be issued later than normal next week due to the one-day strike which took place yesterday.

Members of the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) were involved in industrial action against the pensions levy yesterday, leading to the closure of social welfare offices around the State.

Due to the strike, 4.500 customers, who would normally get their illness benefit or occupational injury benefit payment this Monday will not receive it until the following day.

A small number of jobseekers who are getting paid by cheque may also experience a delay in receiving their weekly payment, the Department said.

It apologised fro the delay in payments and said it will inform the public if there is any further impact on services in the coming days as a result of the industrial action.

The CPSU has warned that it is planning further protests against the Government’s new pension levy for public sector staff from early next month.

The union has said it would be organising further industrial action on a regional basis from March 9th.

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor is a former Irish Times business journalist