Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2023
126. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to ensure that the €200 cost-of-living payment that was due in April will be extended to State pension-qualified adults; if it is not to be extended, whether the disproportional impact on women has been factored in by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21883/23]
View answerThe €200 lump sum payment was paid to 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum was paid in late April and cost approximately €261 million.
This support was paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment.
The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.
The Increase for a Qualified Adult can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them and where that qualified adult’s personal means do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.
If a person does not qualify for the maximum payment rate for the State Pension (Contributory), he/she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
