Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:186. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer of restoring the telephone allowance. [19995/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 May 2015
Ceisteanna (186)
Freagraí scríofa
The overall concern of Government in its Budgets has been to protect the primary social welfare rates. Expenditure on pensions at approx. €6.675 billion is the largest block of expenditure in the Department in the Estimate for 2015, representing approx. 34.4% of overall expenditure. Because of demographic changes, the Department’s spending on older people is increasing year on year. The Department had to make provision for an additional €168 million this year for the increasing number of pensioners. Maintaining the rate of the State pension and other core payments is critical in protecting people from poverty.
The decision to discontinue the telephone allowance provided annual savings of €48 million and meant that the Department was able to retain the other valuable elements of the household benefits package such as the electricity and gas allowance and the television licence. The Department will spend approx. €237 million this year on these elements of the household benefits package for over 415,000 customers. I am keenly aware of the impact on the Department’s clients and particularly those who are living alone. In Budget 2015, I was able to increase the rate of the living alone allowance to €9.00 per week. The fuel allowance scheme and the free travel pass were also protected for older people and people with disabilities.
Questions Nos. 187 and 188 answered with Question No. 184.