John Brady
Question:480. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of index linking payments (details supplied) to inflation over the next five years. [12799/17]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2017
Questions (480, 481, 482)
John Brady
Question:481. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of index linking all weekly social welfare payments to inflation over the next five years. [12800/17]
View answerJohn Brady
Question:482. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of index linking all social welfare payments to inflation over the next five years. [12801/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 to 482, inclusive, together.
The information that the Deputy has requested is detailed in the following table. The costings are based on 2017 recipient numbers, and include the cost of proportionate increases in reduced rates and the qualified adult rates of payment, where applicable. It should be noted that the costings do not take into account changing trends (increases or decreases) in recipient numbers from 2018 onwards.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices used in the table is sourced from the Department of Finance’s 2017 Budget Day book. This provides forecasts for inflation for the five years 2017 to 2021 inclusive; however, there is no projection available for 2022.
Additional Cost of Social Protection Payment Rate Increases linked to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, 2018 to 2021
|
Benefits |
2018 – 1.8% €m |
2019 – 1.9% €m |
2020 – 1.9% €m |
2021 – 1.9% €m |
|
Jobseeker’s Benefit |
6.2 |
6.7 |
6.9 |
6.9 |
|
Jobseeker’s Allowance |
40.1 |
44.6 |
44.6 |
44.6 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
3.1 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
3.5 |
|
Illness Benefit |
9.9 |
10.7 |
10.9 |
10.9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
23.9 |
26.6 |
26.6 |
26.6 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
7.2 |
7.1 |
8.1 |
8.1 |
|
Carer’s Benefit |
0.5 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
|
Carer’s Allowance |
10.2 |
11.1 |
11.3 |
11.4 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
84.5 |
101.5 |
117.4 |
133.9 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
20.2 |
21.7 |
22.2 |
22.7 |
|
All weekly Social Welfare payments |
285.6 |
324.2 |
345.8 |
367.3 |
|
All Social Welfare payments |
335.2 |
377.5 |
400.0 |
422.4 |
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, Tus, Rural Social Scheme, Gateway 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 the 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 2017 estimated recipient numbers.
Question No. 483 answered with Question No. 479.