The number of people accessing social welfare payments in Clare is continuing to increase across the board.
The findings are contained in the Department of Social Protection’s Statistical Annual Report for 2021.
17,920 people in Clare accessed some form of State pension last year – whether that be in contributory or non-contributory form, or a widow’s pension.
The number of people claiming the One Parent Family Payment jumped by nearly 25 percent, while Jobseekers Benefit and Maternity Benefit recipients in the county also increased.
People across the Banner are increasingly turning to community employment schemes and work placements according to the report.
There are now 3,825 people in Clare accessing Disability Allowance, 2,320 availing of Carer’s Allowance and a further 3,000-plus receiving the Carer’s Support Grant.
More than 3,000 households in this county were in receipt of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance in 2021.
However, there were drops in Clare in the numbers of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance, as well as the likes of Dental and Optical Benefits.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment also saw a significant drop off as restrictions eased throughout the year.
A total of 95 million euro was spent in 2021 on the PUP in Clare alone, along with a further €127 million on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
