Fine Gael to push back against welfare hikes for jobseekers that match those for pensioners

Party reluctant to reward those who ‘refuse to work’

Fine Gael are pushing back against weekly welfare hikes for jobseekers being the same as those for pensioners

Gabija Gataveckaite

Fine Gael will push back against welfare increases for jobseekers being the same as those for pensioners and ­disabled people in the next budget.

The move is likely to cause tensions with coalition partner Fianna Fáil, which currently holds the social protection portfolio.