I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, together.
The information that the Deputy has requested is detailed in the table. The costings are based on 2016 recipient numbers, and include the cost of proportionate increases in reduced rates and the qualified adult rates of payment. It should be noted that the costings do not take into account changing trends (increases or decreases) in recipient numbers from 2017 onwards.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices used in the table is sourced from the Department of Finance’s 2016 Budget Day book. This provides forecasts for inflation for the five years 2016 to 2020 inclusive; however, there is no projection available for 2021.
Cost of Social Protection Payment Rate Increases linked to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, 2017 to 2020
|
Year
|
2017 – 1.5%
€m
|
2018 – 1.7%
€m
|
2019 – 1.9%
€m
|
2020 – 1.9%
€m
|
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit
|
5.7
|
6.5
|
7.6
|
7.8
|
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance
|
39.2
|
44.5
|
51.8
|
52.9
|
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
|
2.5
|
2.9
|
3.3
|
3.3
|
|
Illness Benefit
|
8.4
|
9.6
|
11.1
|
11.4
|
|
Disability Allowance
|
18.4
|
21.0
|
24.3
|
24.9
|
|
One Parent Family Payment
|
6.0
|
6.9
|
8.0
|
8.2
|
|
Carer’s Benefit
|
0.3
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
|
Carer’s Allowance
|
8.1
|
9.2
|
10.5
|
10.7
|
|
State Pension (Contributory)
|
73.2
|
84.1
|
96.5
|
98.6
|
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
|
16.6
|
19.1
|
22.1
|
22.1
|
|
All weekly Social Welfare payments
|
246.3
|
281.5
|
324.3
|
331.4
|
|
All Social Welfare payments
|
287.4
|
328.9
|
378.2
|
386.2
|
The cost of increasing all weekly social welfare payments in line with projected inflation includes the qualified child increase, the Living Alone Allowance and the over 80s allowance. It also includes increasing the rates for Community Employment, Tús, Rural Social Scheme, Gateway, JobBridge and Job Initiative but it does not include increasing the top-ups paid on these schemes. Furthermore, it includes increasing the average payment value of the Family Income Supplement in line with projected inflation.
In addition to the weekly social welfare payments, all social welfare payments includes monthly Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Household Benefits scheme payments, and the annual Carer’s Support Grant. Provision is also made for an increase in line with inflation for Fuel Allowance and the Widowed Parent Grant. All of these costings are based on 2016 recipient numbers.
