Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

I agree with Deputy Penrose, it is more costly to live alone and the living alone allowance has not been increased since 1996. We all know prices have increased in the meantime, with the prices of food, fuel, electricity, heating, clothes, shoes, transport and accommodation seeing massive increases while the allowance has remained the same.

The allowance was established because it was recognised that it cost extra to live alone. A person on his or her own uses the same electricity cooking for himself or herself as a person cooking for two people. There are all those added costs but for whatever reason it has not been adjusted. I reiterate what I said about the success of the economy. Who is that economy for if it is not for people who are in need and those who are suffering in this wealthy society? The living alone allowance makes a huge difference, particularly to the elderly and people living in isolation. There is little difference between the three months and the six months proposed by Deputy Penrose and me but it is an issue that must be addressed.

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