David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister tell us when replying the number of people currently in receipt of the living alone allowance? The Minister said on Committee Stage that he was not increasing the allowance because it would discourage people — he can correct me if I am wrong — from moving in with families if they needed to do that because they would lose it. Will he clarify if that is his sole reason for not increasing it? I acknowledge State pensions have been increased but as my colleagues said earlier, it costs more to live alone.

There is a need to consider the needs of older people living alone. Older men in particular appear to find it more difficult to get accommodation on their own. Often they do not need a great deal other than a flat or a small house with two bedrooms. In that regard, local authorities should bear in mind the needs of older people living on their own, especially if they request a transfer from one type of accommodation to another. The living alone allowance can help with their additional costs because proportionately it costs more to live alone than to live with someone else. Two people can live cheaper than one person. The other side of the social welfare code is the limitation rule. In one respect the Minister is limiting what he is giving people but in the other he will not increase the allowance because he wants to encourage people to live with others. There is a contradiction in that regard.

The living alone allowance is a small amount but it gives people a bit of a lift. It is amazing the number of people who value it when they get it. We must also remember that someone living on their own might be bereaved and quite lonely having lost a spouse. The living alone allowance recognises the fact that they are now on their own and may be lonely. It is a small amount but it is amazing how people value it. The fact that it has not been increased in the past few years is having an impact and should be examined.

See this speech in context