I propose to take Questions Nos. 613, 615 to 617, inclusive, 621 to 623, inclusive, 625, 628 and 639 together.
The Costings sought by the Deputy are presented in the tables below:
Daily Expenses Allowance
New Rate
|
Cost (€m)
|
€40
|
0.23
|
€41
|
0.42
|
€42
|
0.61
|
€43
|
0.8
|
€44
|
0.99
|
€45
|
1.18
|
Disability and Carers
Scheme
|
€5 Increase (€m)
|
€10 Increase (€m)
|
Carer’s Allowance
|
16.26
|
32.51
|
Carer’s Benefit
|
0.72
|
1.44
|
Disability Allowance
|
39.55
|
79.11
|
Illness Benefit
|
13.81
|
27.63
|
Blind Pension
|
0.33
|
0.67
|
Invalidity Pension
|
16.20
|
32.36
|
Fuel Allowance
Fuel Season Extension
|
Cost (€m)
|
1 Week
|
8.41
|
2 Weeks
|
16.82
|
3 Weeks
|
25.23
|
4 Weeks
|
33.64
|
Living Alone Allowance
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
€2
|
21.76
|
€3
|
32.63
|
€4
|
43.51
|
€5
|
54.39
|
€6
|
65.27
|
Telephone Support Allowance
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
€1
|
6.76
|
€2
|
13.52
|
€2.50
|
17.16
|
€3
|
20.28
|
€4
|
27.04
|
€5
|
33.8
|
Qualified Child Increase
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
€2
|
32.43
|
€3
|
48.65
|
€4
|
64.86
|
€5
|
81.08
|
School Meals Programme
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
5%
|
2.9
|
10%
|
5.8
|
15%
|
8.6
|
20%
|
11.5
|
Child Benefit
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
€10
|
146.57
|
€15
|
219.86
|
€20
|
293.14
|
€25
|
366.43
|
€30
|
439.72
|
Jobseekers Under 26
The estimated full year cost of equalising jobseeker payments for those under 26 years of age to the standard rate of €203 per week is €59.87 million.
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
Increase
|
Cost (€m)
|
€10
|
3.1
|
€20
|
6.2
|
€25
|
7.75
|
€30
|
9.3
|
€35
|
10.85
|
€40
|
12.4
|
€45
|
13.95
|
€50
|
15.5
|
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2019. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2020.
It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.