As announced in Budget 2019, the €5 increase in the personal rate of all social welfare payments came into effect in the week commencing 25th March 2019 with a proportionate increase for qualified adult dependants. The full rate payable in respect of a qualified child increased by €2.20 from €31.80 to €34 where the child is under 12 years of age. Where the child is over 12 years of age the qualified child rate increased by €5.20 from €31.80 to €37.

The maximum personal rate of Illness Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit is now €203 while the minimum rate for Maternity and Paternity Benefit has increased to €245 per week. The increase in these rates will result in a reduction in costs for employers who pay sick pay, maternity pay or paternity pay to their employees as a top up.

The maximum personal rate for the State Pension (Contributory) for an individual aged under 80 increased from €243.30 to €248.30 per week. This increase may impact on the level on pension contributions where the State Pension (Contributory), or a multiple thereof, is used in the calculation of pensionable earnings.