Plans will go to Cabinet this morning for changes to jobseekers allowance. Minister Heather Humphreys is seeking public consultation on increasing the rate paid to higher earners.
It would mean people would be paid 60% of their salary on losing their job, up to a cap of €450 a week. The measure would be time limited and after six months the person would return to the base rate of €220 a week.
The Cavan Monaghan Minister told Northern Sound this week that she was endeavouring to ensure that benefit paid to those made redundant would be commensurate with what has been paid in PRSI contributions.
'When people become employed they suddenly face a cliff drop in their income - it really is a cliff because it drops down very quickly. And, I want to ease that for them," she added.