Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to support the Bill, which gives effect to a number of social protection measures announced in budget 2016. After the years of austerity, budget 2015 saw funding for social protection measures begin to increase in order to again start increasing living standards and investments in communities. Budget 2016 brings further increases for these social protection measures and brings increases through other measures after the austerity of previous years. With the welcome departure of the troika and the improving global economic situation, the recovery this Government has been driving is beginning to show results, although the amount of money available to spend is still limited. Within that context, the priority of the Government is to make sure that every household benefits.

As I said, this process started with the 2015 budget. The 2016 budget, of which this legislation is a key part, is designed to particularly help low and middle income families, retired people and vulnerable groups. The social welfare package in the budget has four main aims: first, to deliver welfare improvements for pensioners aged 66 years and over; second, to strengthen supports for all families with children; third, to enhance incentives for employment and to make work pay; and, fourth, to provide targeted assistance for vulnerable groups, such as carers and people with disabilities.

There will be a €3 weekly increase for pensioners and carers aged 66 years and over. This is the first weekly rise for pensioners since 2009, almost seven years ago. In recent years, many pensioners have supported their adult children and families through very difficult times. They deserve to see their income in retirement increase, now that we can do so. Just over 1.2 million people will receive the Christmas bonus this year, at a cost of €197 million, which I warmly welcome. The Christmas bonus will be spent within the local economy. It will provide a boost not only to the individuals and families who receive it but also to local businesses and the community and it will help the recovery.

Given it was cut during a previous budget, I am very pleased the respite care grant is to be increased by €325 to €1,700. The title of the respite care grant scheme is to be changed to the carer's support grant. From January 2016, the carer's allowance will be paid for 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for. I welcome this measure.

A new analysis of the budget changes shows that households with children are the biggest beneficiaries from budget 2016, in particular working lone parents. There will be an increase in the monthly rate of child benefit to €140 from January 2016, which sees further increases on top of the increases already awarded last year.

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