Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
209. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection how the people of Clare will benefit from her Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45781/23]
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.
The Budget Package includes :
• Weekly Personal and Qualified Adult Rates increases by €12
• Increase for a Qualified Child increased by €4 per week
• Increase of the Working Family Payment income thresholds for all families by €54 per week
• Extension of Hot School Meals to non-DEIS primary Schools who applied under an Expression of Interest
• Extension of Parent's Benefit from 7 weeks to 9 weeks
• Extension of Child Benefit to 18 year olds in full time education
• Increased rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance by €10 to €340 per month
• A reduction to the minimum weekly hours threshold for employers to avail of the Wage Subsidy Scheme from 21 to 15 hours
• An increase to the earnings disregard for Carer's Allowance to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple
• Additional funds to include provision for Free Travel for people medically certified unfit to drive
As part of this package, a wide range of lump-sum payments will be paid between in the coming months. Including :
• €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
• A double payment of Child Benefit
• A 100% Christmas Bonus
• January 100% double payment similar to the Christmas Bonus
Over 80,000 people living in Clare will benefit from the measures introduced in the Social Protection Budget 2024 package outlined above.
