Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta arís. To reiterate, the Minister certainly gives consideration to proposals by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Age Action and other agencies in her work in trying to ensure those most vulnerable are supported in the best way possible. That is what the Government is trying to achieve and the ESRI has supported the direction we have taken as being the correct one with regard to targeting the supports we have put in place. The Government provided very significant funding to meet the overall increase in the cost of living through the budget 2023 package. It is the largest amount ever in a range of one-off necessary measures, and they were necessary. It was important we did that.

I reassure the House that the Government will keep the evolving situation under close review and will monitor the effects of those measures in the short to medium term. Underlining the Government's continuing commitment to address the increased cost of living being experienced by people, an additional €260 million social welfare package was paid to families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities last week. I reiterate that the Department of Social Protection provides a number of more targeted payments to help people with their household costs, including the fuel allowance, the living alone allowance and the telephone support allowance. I would especially like to highlight that the Department of Social Protection operates an additional needs payment as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, where people have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources.

The Deputy raised an important issue but I believe the Government has responded and is continuing to respond in an evolving situation. It is fluctuating quite a good deal but it is important we do this. Obviously, I cannot pre-empt what is going to be in the budget package for 2024 but the Minister has been very progressive in trying to address those most in need and the most vulnerable households through this very difficult and challenging time.

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