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Social Welfare Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Ceisteanna (329)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

329. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase core social welfare rates by €20 per week in Budget 2023 in order to provide assistance with the rising cost of living in line with calls from a number of organisations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38158/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that I will be considering a range of options for Budget 2023 over the coming months, taking account of available resources.

Over the long term, Ireland’s social welfare system has performed strongly in protecting our most vulnerable citizens. In 2021, social transfers reduced the at-risk-of-poverty rate from 38.6% to 11.6%. This represents a 70% reduction on the at-risk-of-poverty rate. Ireland is consistently one of the best performing EU countries in reducing poverty through social transfers.

It is through this evidence-based approach that, over the past 10 years, budget measures have both exceeded inflation in that period and have also been targeted to support those most at risk of poverty. This is evident in the recent results of the Survey on Income and Living Conditions which showed welcome reductions in the number of people at risk of poverty or deprivation.

Having said that, the Government is acutely aware of recent price increases and their impact on households who are dependent on social welfare. For this reason, this Government did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges but acted early. Overall, the tax and spending measures we have introduced to ease the burden and provide support to those most in need have amounted to €2.4 billion.

Last week I, along with my government colleagues, announced further measures to mitigate the rising cost of living for families. I provided an additional €100 increase in the rate of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for each qualifying child. This brings the rate for children aged 4–11 years to €260, and €385 for children aged 12 and over. This will benefit over 262,000 children.

I am also inviting an additional 310 recently designated DEIS schools to participate in the School Meals programme which will benefit almost 60,000 additional children. In addition, my colleague Minister Foley announced that students availing of the school transport scheme will not be charged fees for the next academic year. These measures will cost an additional €67 million and will help struggling families with back-to-school costs.

The Government continues to monitor the situation carefully in preparation for the Budget. I will be meeting a range of NGOs at the Department's pre-budget forum later this month and will listen carefully to the views expressed by all organisations including, I hope, Social Justice Ireland and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

This Government has provided timely, targeted support and I will continue to prioritise evidence-based measures aimed at supporting the most vulnerable in our society.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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