Social Welfare Rates

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Questions (281, 282, 285, 313)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

281. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the State pension payments by €10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19342/16]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

282. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing disability allowance by €10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19343/16]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

285. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing basic social protection rates for the jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit, illness benefit and carer’s allowance by €5 and €10 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/16]

Willie O'Dea

Question:

313. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost in 2017 of increasing all working age payments, including the costs of proportionate increases for qualified adults, by €10, listing all working age payments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/16]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 282, 285 and 313 together.

The following table lists per scheme the indicative cost of a €10 increase in weekly rates of payment for those of pension age. The costs include a proportionate increase for recipients with qualified adults.

Scheme	Cost in 2017 €m
State Pension Contributory	208.0
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension – aged 66 or over	44.1
Deserted Wife's Benefit – aged 66 or over	1.2
Death Benefit Pension – aged 66 or over	0.2
State Pension Non Contributory	50.5
Carer's Allowance – aged 66 or over	1.1
Half Rate Carer's Allowance – aged 66 or over	2.6
OVERALL TOTAL	307.7

The following Table details by scheme the indicative cost of a €10 increase in weekly rates of payment for those of working age. The costs include a proportionate increase for recipients with qualified adults. Listed in the table are €10 increases for recipients Disability Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, Illness Benefit and Carer’s Allowance.

Scheme	Cost in 2017 €m
Social Insurance Schemes
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension	15.9
Deserted Wife's Benefit	2.2
Invalidity Pension	31.9
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)	0.7
Disablement Pension	3.3
Illness Benefit	28.9
Injury Benefit	0.7
Incapacity Supplement	0.6
Jobseeker's Benefit	17.6
Carer's Benefit	1.4
Health and Safety Benefit	0.0
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit	11.6
Social Assistance Schemes
Blind Person's Pension	0.7
Widow/ers or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension	0.8
Deserted Wife's Allowance	0.1
One-Parent Family Payment	21.5
Carer's Allowance	19.0
Half Rate Carer's Allowance	5.2
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)	0.2
Jobseeker's Allowance	127.2
Jobseeker's Allowance (€100 rate)	11.6
Jobseeker's Allowance (€144 rate)	2.4
Pre-Retirement Allowance	0.1
Disability Allowance	70.0
Farm Assist	5.5
Back to Education Allowance	6.1
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance	6.8
Community Employment Programme	13.9
TÚS - Community Work Placement Initiative	5.2
Rural Social Scheme	1.8
JobBridge - National Internship	1.2
Gateway	1.1
Supplementary Welfare Allowance	8.8
OVERALL TOTAL	424.0

The costs shown above are on a full-year basis and assume that, where relevant, each increase is implemented from the beginning of January. It should be noted that these costings relate to 2017 and are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017.