Ms Jenny Connors:

I might jump in on the questions around the €20 rate increase and the point about indexation. There was a lot of talk before the budget about potential rate increases but we must take it within the overall suite and package in the social protection area. Obviously, we did not just do a rate increase. We had the rate increase plus the once-offs and other more targeted measures. This must also be taken in the context of the budget parameters that were provided and with spend across other areas of public expenditure. The €12 was taken in that context - that it is not just a rate increase that was provided. With €20, you would be talking up to €1.5 billion in expenditure, which is pretty significant even though the overall package was €1 billion and those targeted measures impacted and cushioned the lowest deciles.

We have more clarity about the direction of travel for indexation for pensions. That was put forward with the recommendations of the Commission on Pensions and it was agreed that there would be an earnings approach to the indexation of the State pension. That will inform the budget process in 2023 but still will give the Government discretion around that. There is more clarity but there is no Government decision around indexing beyond pensions. At least the clarity is there on that.