The Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has confirmed that social welfare increases introduced in the Budget will come into effect next week.
In an announcement made this week, Ms Doherty said the increases will begin on the week commencing March 25th.
It is expected that 637,340 pensioners will receive a €5 increase per week, whilst some 684,700 social welfare recipients will receive a €5 increase next week.
The increase will be available to jobseekers, carers, widows, people with disabilities, lone parents, Paternity Benefit recipients, community Employment participants.
Meanwhile increases will be made for dependent children, with those under the age of 12 seeing a €2.20 increase per week, whilst those over the age of 12 will receive a €5.20 increase per week.
It is expected that the overall cost for the increases will amount to €362m.