The €200 Spring lump sum payment was paid to 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum was paid in late April and cost approximately €261 million.
This support was paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment.
The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.
It is part of a range of additional Cost of Living supports valued at over €400 million announced in February, following on from the largest Social Protection Budget in the history of the state last September, which will provide support to people and families - other supports will include a €100 Child Benefit lump sum in June and a €100 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance lump sum.
The Increase for a Qualified Adult can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.
If a person does not qualify for a social insurance payment based on their PRSI contributions, they may qualify for a means-tested social assistance payment.
Any proposal to extend full social welfare benefits, to include such cost of living support payment, to adult dependents, would have to be considered in a budgetary context with a view to the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
