Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
202. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for excluding invalidity benefit from the bonus announced in Budget 2024; and her views on whether this is justified, given the rising cost of living. [45433/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I have secured a package of €2.3 billion for Social Protection measures as part of Budget 2024. This represents the largest Budget package for the Department of Social Protection in the history of the State and will help to support our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and families during this difficult period.
As part of this package, a wide range of lump-sum payments will be paid in the coming months. In the second half of November the following lump-sums will be paid:
• €400 to Working Family Payment recipients
• €400 to recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension
• €400 to recipients of the Carer’s Support Grant
• €200 to recipients of the Living Alone Allowance
• €300 to all Fuel Allowance recipients in 2023
• €100 for each child in respect of whom an Increase for a Qualified Child is in payment
In December there will be a double payment of Child Benefit and a 100% Christmas Bonus. At the end of January 2024 there will be another 100% double payment similar to the Christmas Bonus.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension will be eligible for the €400 lump-sum in November and the two double payment weeks in December and January.
Traditionally, Illness Benefit was not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus as it is a short-term scheme with a high degree of churn. However, last year I asked my officials to examine this issue in respect of people who are in receipt of Illness Benefit for longer periods of time. This resulted in people who have been on Illness Benefit for 12 months or longer qualifying for the Christmas Bonus last year for the first time.
I am pleased to confirm that those long-term Illness Benefit recipients will again qualify for this year's Christmas Bonus, as well as the double payment in January.
