Kilkenny families to benefit from back-to-work scheme

By COLIN BARTLEY

KILKENNY workers are being asked to check if they qualify for the Government’s Working Family Payment scheme.

Over 53,000 working families across the country already get an average weekly payment of €135 under the scheme.

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has launched a new campaign highlighting the initiative, which provides assistance for employees in low-earning families.

The scheme is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children, designed to give extra financial support to people on low to moderate pay who are returning to the workplace.

Last week the Central Statistics Office published the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May. It stood at 4.4%, down from 5.9% at the same time last year, and the lowest recorded unemployment rate since February 2005.

Minister Doherty said the scheme aims to enable people to go back to work and not feel like they are losing out.

“Work opportunities continue to be available across a range of sectors and we will continue to ensure people are given the support they need to take up these opportunities.”

As more and more people find work, I want to ensure that nobody is penalised for returning to work,” Minister Doherty added.