Cost of living: Fine Gael pledges to roll out brand new social welfare payment of €325 a week

Fine Gael have pledged to get rid of a current social payment and replace it with a new one, while also scrapping the current means test.

As the general election looms, Fine Gael have laid out their policy plans in the event that they would be voted back into government at the end of this month.

Included in their plans is a brand new €325 payment for family carers.

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The new payment is expected to allow a couple to earn up to €2,500 and still be eligible for a full carer's payment - double the limit at present.

A spokesperson told Galway Beo : "Most people in the social welfare system receive a payment because they either can't or won't work.

"Carers are working 24/7 providing full-time care to loved ones - we need to recognise them.

"If a mother has to give up her job and career to provide full time care to a child with a disability, the current system means if her husband earns over a certain limit - she is essentially not recognised by the State.

"Carers save the State billions every year - the Taoiseach is determined that they are recognised and the vital work they do is valued."

It comes as the party has also pledged to implement a double Child Benefit payment every year in August, in order to help parents with the costs of going back to school. It is part of a larger proposal of policies designed to combat child poverty.

Speaking on the proposal, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: “The first years of a child’s life have a profound impact on who they will become. Fine Gael believes that every child deserves the best start in life.

“Fine Gael will have a determined focus to lift children out of poverty.

"We will set an ambitious child poverty target, increase the rate of Child Benefit, expand Hot School Meals to all schools and tackle holiday hunger as well as further extending free GP care."