Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
63. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring the Christmas bonus to 50%, 75% and in full; the number of persons who would benefit if it was re-instated on the basis outlined and previously applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29754/15]
View answer65. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring 50% of the 2013 cut to the respite care grant; the cost of reversing the cut in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29773/15]
View answer69. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost a €1 increase in the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29782/15]
View answer111. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of a €5 increase in the State contributory pension and the State non-contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30341/15]
View answer112. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of a €10 increase in the State contributory pension and the State non-contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30342/15]
View answer113. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of a €5 increase in the annual Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30343/15]
View answer114. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of a €10 increase in the annual Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30344/15]
View answer115. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing child benefit by €5 per week; €10 per week; €15 per week; and €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30345/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 65, 69 and 111 to 115, inclusive, together.
Based on 2014 numbers of 1,232,535 recipients, payment of a Christmas Bonus equivalent to 50%, 75% and 100% of payment levels would cost €130.2 million, €195.3 million and €260.4 million respectively.
Based on these same recipient numbers, the cost of a €5 increase in the annual Christmas bonus is estimated at €6.2 million and the cost of a €10 increase is just over €12.3 million.
The cost of increasing the Respite Care Grant by €162.50 (50% of €325) in 2016 is €14.7 million. The cost of increasing the grant by the full €325 to €1,700 in 2016 is €29.4 million.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance by €1 per week in 2016 is €9.9 million.
The cost of increasing the State Pension Contributory (SPC) and the State Pension Non-Contributory (SPNC) by €5 per week is €102.2 million and €25.4 million respectively in a full year.
The cost of increasing SPC and SPNC by €10 per week is €204.3 million and €50.8 million respectively in a full year.
The cost of increasing all pension rates – SPC, SPNC, Widow/er/Surviving Civil Partner Contributory Pension (aged 66 and over), Death Benefit (aged 66 and over) and Carer’s Allowance (aged 66 and over) – by €5 and €10 per week respectively is circa €151.1 million and €302.2 million respectively in a full year. These costs also include proportionate increases for any qualified adults, where applicable.
Child Benefit is a monthly payment and the cost of increasing Child Benefit by €5 per month, €10 per month, €15 per month and €20 per month is €71.6 million, €143.1 million, €214.7 million and €286.2 million respectively in 2016.
It should be noted that all of these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2016.
