Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the failure to increase social welfare rates, in particular for single parents, above the rate of inflation in Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50719/22]
View answerI announced on Budget Day that the Government will spend more than €2.1 billion on Social Protection measures, including over €880 million in order to provide for a €12 increase to the weekly rate of social welfare payments from January 2023. This supports both pensioners and those of working age and includes a proportionate increase for qualified adults.
This is the largest social welfare package in the history of the State.
The rate increase is accompanied by a wide range additional measures and lump sum payments this year to social welfare customers. Taken together, for many household types, the combination effectively matches, or exceeds, inflation.
For example, a lone parent with two children will see a €16 increase in their weekly rate from January. The improvements to the Working Family Payment thresholds also targets low-income families with children, resulting in a weekly increase of up to €24.
Families will also be assisted before January. They will receive a cost-of-living double payment later this month, and again in December via the Christmas bonus. In November, an additional Child Benefit payment will be made. Households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive a €400 lump sum, and people in receipt of the Working Family Payment will receive a lump sum of €500. All households will also benefit from €600 of Energy Credits in the coming months.
The ESRI post-Budget analysis shows that Budget 2023, combined with one-off measures to reduce the cost of living, will be effective in protecting most households from rising prices this winter.
The analysis further shows that the income of lone parent households will remain essentially stable (less than 0.2 per cent reduction) as a consequence of Budget 2023 measures which indicates that the Government measures are, in the main, effective at protecting lone parent households from the impact of current levels of inflation.
I am satisfied that the total social welfare budget package for 2023 has been designed to protect the most vulnerable in society. As we have done to date, the Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and stands ready to respond again, if and when necessary.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
