Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full extent of payments, entitlements and benefits available on a means-tested basis; the extent to which these have been enhanced in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46740/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024, I secured a €2.3 billion Social Protection package. This is, for the second year in a row, the largest in the history of the State.
This package provides a mixture of exceptional cost of living payments delivered over the coming weeks, along with an across the board €12 weekly rate increase in primary payments, including both benefits and means assessed social assistance payments and an increase of €4 per week for an increase for a qualified child both of which take effect from early January. This approach will ease the pressure that many households face over the winter months - acting quickly to provide lump sum supports and providing ongoing support through the provision of the weekly rate increase from January.
Post-Budget analysis from the ESRI shows that this package will insulate most households from rising prices next year.
As part of this package, a wide range of lump-sum payments will be paid in the coming weeks and months.
In the week beginning 20th of November:
• To support low-income working families, a cost-of-living payment of €400 will be paid to 46,000 recipients of the Working Family Payment recipients;
• A lump sum of €400 will be paid to 214,000 people receiving Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension in recognition of the additional cost of living pressures that they face; and
• A lump sum of €300 for over 400,000 people who receive Fuel Allowance. This is particularly important as we come into colder weather for pensioners and people with disabilities who may need extra heating.
In the week beginning the 27th of November three further payments will be made:
• A €400 lump sum will be paid to 130,000 carers;
• Because people living on their own face similar energy costs as couples, a payment of €200 will be paid to 237,000 people who receive the Living Alone Allowance; and
• A targeted lump sum of €100 for each child for those receiving an ‘Increase for a Qualified Child.
On the 5th of December, families with children will receive a double payment of Child Benefit benefitting about 1.2 million children.
There will be two double payment weeks. In the week beginning 4th of December, a 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid to 1.3 million people on long-term schemes.
A double payment will also be paid in the week commencing 29th January on the same basis as the Christmas Bonus. And as the rate increases will have taken effect, this will be paid at the higher rates.
I was also very pleased to announce key reforms such as the introduction of a pay-related jobseeker’s benefit from next year, subject to final Government approval, as well as an extension to Parent’s Benefit to 9 weeks, improvements to the Wage Subsidy Scheme, extending Free Travel to those who are medically unfit to drive, as well as further extending hot school meals, among other measures.
My Department operates over 90 schemes and services. Detailed information on these schemes, including operational guidelines, can be found can be found on www.gov.ie/en/category/social-welfare/.
I trust this clarifies the issues raised by the Deputy.
