Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2023
374. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recent cost-of-living bonus paid to those in receipt of certain social welfare payments; the amount the Government saved by not allowing those on adult dependant payments to receive this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23943/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €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.
The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.
This support was paid to a cohort defined 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.
This lump sum is one of a range of Spring Cost of Living supports valued at over €410 million announced in February this year, this includes a €100 Child Benefit lump sum in June, an additional €100 on the rate of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and an extension of the Hot School Meals programme.
The February package follows on from a €2.2 Billion Social Protection Budget 2023 Package - the largest in the history of the state – which included eight lump sum payments in the last quarter of 2022.
My Department also brought in measures earlier in 2022 to help households with increasing prices, for example, two Fuel Allowance lump sums were paid in March and May and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was increased by €100.
Since March last year, therefore, Government has been keeping the situation under review and has responded providing a range of unprecedented supports to protect people and families as the Cost of Living has increased.
