In response to the on-going cost-of-living pressures, as part of Budget 2023, I secured a social welfare package of more than €2.1 billion, the largest Social Protection package in the history of the state, including:
- The Autumn Cost-of-Living Double Week Payment to most Social protection schemes which will be paid during the week commencing 17th of October 2022;
- The Double Payment of Child Benefit to support families with children will be paid alongside the regular Child Benefit Payment in November 2022;
- A €400 Lump Sum Fuel Allowance Payment to all households receiving the Fuel Allowance;
- A €200 Lump Sum Payment for pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance;
- A €500 Lump Sum Payment to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer's Support Grant.
In addition, a 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid to all long-term social welfare recipients in December 2022.
The ESRI's assessment of the Budget is that the measures introduced are large enough to leave the lowest-income households better-off on average than they would have been had welfare rates risen in line with inflation both this year and next.
In that context I am satisfied that my Department has the necessary resources to assist those most in need due to the impact of cost-of-living increases.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the deputy.