Throughout 2022 and into this year Government has provided a range of unprecedented supports to protect people and families as the cost of living has increased. This includes a €2.2 Billion Social Protection Budget 2023 Package - the largest in the history of the State – which included eight lump sum payments in the last quarter of 2022, and a further package announced in February, providing over €410 million in additional Social Protection supports to households and families.
Key supports for older people included:
• As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, an Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment was paid to Social Protection recipients, including pensioners, in October.
• In November, a €200 Lump Sum Payment was paid to pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance, a €500 Cost of Living Payment was paid to people receiving the Carer’s Support Grant and a €500 Cost of Living lump sum was paid to people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension. A €400 additional Lump Sum payment was also paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment.
• In December, a Christmas Bonus Double Payment was paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.
• From January 2023, the maximum rate of core Social Welfare rates was increased by €12. There were proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people getting a reduced rate.
• Also, from January 2023, a new Fuel Allowance means threshold was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 was increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Similarly, the allowable means for HHB purposes for those aged between 66-69 not in receipt of a qualifying payment was also increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).
• The enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure which benefitted all households.
• A further range of measures were announced in February of this year. This package included a €200 lump sum payment which was paid to over 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, including pensioners.
Decisions about Budget 2024 will be made in the coming weeks and Government will continue to prioritise evidence-based measures aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in our society, including older people.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.