Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:36. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the basic weekly social welfare rate of €188 back to €196. [13916/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 April 2015
Ceisteanna (36)
Freagraí scríofa
It is understood that the Deputy is referring the cost of an €8 per week increase in social welfare rates paid at a maximum personal weekly rate of €188.
The €188 per week rate applies to the following schemes:
- Jobseeker's Benefit & Allowance
- Farm Assist & Pre-Retirement Allowance
- Back to Education Allowance& Back to Work Allowance
- One Parent Family Payment, Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Non-Con) Pension & Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Disability Allowance & Illness Benefit
- Blind Pension & Incapacity Supplement
- Health & Safety Benefit & Injury Benefit
The cost of increasing these rates by €8 to €196 per week in 2016 is approximately €256 million in 2016 and in a full year. This cost includes the cost of proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit and Illness Benefit.
The full year cost in 2016 and in a full year of applying the €8 increase per week to all social welfare payments paid to persons aged under 66 years of age (including people on employment schemes, such as community employment) is approximately €344 million.