David Stanton
Ceist:163 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the last time the living alone allowance was increased; and the plans she has to increase it. [7866/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 10 March 2004
Ceisteanna (96)
Freagraí scríofa
The living alone allowance is an additional payment of €7.70 per week made to people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare type payments and who are living alone. It is also available to people under 66 years of age who are living alone and are receiving payments under one of a number of invalidity type schemes.
The allowance was last increased in 1996. The policy has been to commit resources to improving the personal pension rates. An increase would have to be considered in a budgetary context.