Séamus Hughes
Ceist:77 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost of giving a 5 per cent increase in social welfare and assistance payments to permanent residents on offshore islands. [11509/95]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The population of inhabitants of offshore islands is around 9,600 — 1991 Census, Central Statistics Office. The number of those in receipt of a social welfare payment is not separately available. The cost of an increase specifically targeted at offshore island residents cannot, therefore, be estimated. However, it is estimated that the full year cost of a 1 per cent general increase in social welfare weekly rates is approximately £41,000 for every 1,000 recipients.