I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 65, 69 and 111 to 115, inclusive, together.
Based on 2014 numbers of 1,232,535 recipients, payment of a Christmas Bonus equivalent to 50%, 75% and 100% of payment levels would cost €130.2 million, €195.3 million and €260.4 million respectively.
Based on these same recipient numbers, the cost of a €5 increase in the annual Christmas bonus is estimated at €6.2 million and the cost of a €10 increase is just over €12.3 million.
The cost of increasing the Respite Care Grant by €162.50 (50% of €325) in 2016 is €14.7 million. The cost of increasing the grant by the full €325 to €1,700 in 2016 is €29.4 million.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance by €1 per week in 2016 is €9.9 million.
The cost of increasing the State Pension Contributory (SPC) and the State Pension Non-Contributory (SPNC) by €5 per week is €102.2 million and €25.4 million respectively in a full year.
The cost of increasing SPC and SPNC by €10 per week is €204.3 million and €50.8 million respectively in a full year.
The cost of increasing all pension rates – SPC, SPNC, Widow/er/Surviving Civil Partner Contributory Pension (aged 66 and over), Death Benefit (aged 66 and over) and Carer’s Allowance (aged 66 and over) – by €5 and €10 per week respectively is circa €151.1 million and €302.2 million respectively in a full year. These costs also include proportionate increases for any qualified adults, where applicable.
Child Benefit is a monthly payment and the cost of increasing Child Benefit by €5 per month, €10 per month, €15 per month and €20 per month is €71.6 million, €143.1 million, €214.7 million and €286.2 million respectively in 2016.
It should be noted that all of these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2016.