Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
24. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she considers that the €2 increase in the qualified child payment is sufficient to tackle child poverty in the context of the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50725/22]
View answerThe Government is very aware of child poverty and its impacts and has taken steps in recent Budgets to address this, through increases in payments for children in social welfare households, measures on Working Family Payment and for lone parents.
While it is good to see that the national rate of child poverty decreased significantly from 7.2% in 2020 to 5.2% in 2021, we still have a lot more to do.
I am pleased that Budget 2023 includes a Social Welfare package of almost €2.2 billion. Many of the measures we are taking will go towards families with children including:
(i) The increase for children in social welfare households. I provided for the weekly rates of the Increase for a Qualified Child to increase by €2 to €42 per week in the case of children under age 12 and by €2 to €50 per week in the case of children aged 12 or over. These increases will take effect from January at an estimated cost of €30.4 million in 2023. As a result, these rates will have increased by €6 for under 12s and by €10 for over 12s over the last three Budgets.
(ii) The improvements to Working Family Payment. Budget 2023 provides for a €40 weekly increase in the Working Family Payment income limits for families of all sizes from January at a cost of approximately €16.8 million in 2023. I have also provided for a €500 lump sum payment to all families in receipt of the payment in November 2022 at an estimated cost of €23 million.
(iii) The double payment of Child Benefit in November which will benefit 638,000 recipients in respect of over 1.2 million children at a cost of €170 million.
Families in receipt of payments such as One-Parent Family payment will also benefit from a double payment in October as well as a double payment in December. Families in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will also receive a €400 payment in November.
In addition, the Budget provided for a €12 increase in the weekly personal rate of working age payments bringing the rate to €220 from January.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
