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Household Benefits Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013

Thursday, 26 September 2013

Questions (136)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

136. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of recent figures that almost one in ten persons aged 65 and over is at risk of poverty and almost half of older persons living alone are in the bottom 40% of the income bracket CSO 2013, she will reverse changes to the household benefit package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40256/13]

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Written answers

The recently published Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) Thematic Report on the Elderly shows that, in 2011, as in 2010, the elderly had the lowest at risk of poverty rate when compared with other age groups. This was in contrast to 2004 when the elderly had the highest at risk of poverty rate. The at risk of poverty rate for people over 65 fell from 27.1% in 2004 to 9.7% in 2011. There was no statistically significant changes in the rate between 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The Government’s target in relation to consistent poverty for older people has been achieved as can be seen in the data which shows that those aged 65 and over had the lowest consistent poverty rate at 1.9% in 2011 when compared with those aged 18-64 (6.8%) and those aged 0-17 (9.3%). Similar patterns could be observed in 2009 and 2010.

The Government has had to make very difficult decisions in recent years. However, at all times, pensioners have been prioritised and there have been no cuts in their primary payments.

In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €284 million on the household benefits scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with a package of benefits worth almost €700 per year. In addition, during the winter, some 410,000 customers will receive the fuel allowance of €20 per week at a cost of €211 million. As those elderly who live alone and those aged over 80 are among the cohort more at risk of poverty, my Department provides an additional weekly living alone increase of €7.60 and an over 80s increase of €10.

I am not in a position to reverse the changes to the household benefits package. There are considerable challenges ahead to protect, as far as possible, the key income supports provided by my Department which impact in some way on the lives of almost every person in the State. As part of the deliberative process for the budget, my Department will analyse all schemes, and in so far as possible, the distributive and poverty impact of possible welfare changes. No decisions have been made at this time with regard to the upcoming Budget.

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