Joe Flaherty
Question:329. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether an anomaly exists under the cost-of-living payments (details supplied). [50538/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 November 2023
Questions (329)
Written answers
I was pleased that Budget 2024 included a social welfare package worth almost €2.3 billion, the biggest in the history of the State. The package contained a balanced mixture of once-off lump sum measures set to be delivered over the coming weeks along with significant rate increases. The measures are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the increased cost of living and the measures have a particular focus on tackling child poverty. This extensive package includes a number of measures which are of benefit to lone parents.
The Increase for Qualified Child Lump Sum Payment is a once-off bonus payment of €100 which will be paid to anyone in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Child in the relevant payment week. This includes lone parents in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. This is a targeted measure to assist families who have children and who are in receipt of a social welfare payment. There are some circumstances in which an Increase for a Qualified Child is split between two parents and in such cases each will receive the €100 bonus payment where they are in payment in the relevant week.
In addition, I provided for the rate of Increase for a Qualified Child to increase by €4 to €46 per week in respect of a qualified child under age 12 and by €4 to €54 per week in respect of a qualified child aged 12 or over from January. As a result, these rates will have increased by €10 for under 12s and by €14 for over 12s over the last four Budgets.
Like all families with children, lone parents will receive a double month Child Benefit payment in respect of each child before Christmas. In addition, recipients of One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment will be amongst those who receive a Christmas bonus double week payment in December and a cost-of-living double week payment in January.
I have also provided for a €12 increase in the personal rate of working age payments such as One-Parent Family Payment. This will increase the personal rate from €220 to €232, per week from January.
Lone parents in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive a lump sum payment of €300 this month. Approximately half of the payments of the €400 cost of living lump sum payment, which will be made to recipients of the Working Family Payment in November, will be made to lone parents.
This wide array of measures clearly demonstrates the huge focus the Government has placed on assisting people and families with the cost of living, including lone parents.
A preliminary Social Impact Analysis undertaken in relation to the Budget 2024 Social Protection package shows a very progressive impact of the Budget package, with lowest income deciles benefitting most.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.