Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Callaghan for her question.

As part of budget 2026, I announced a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures, which included a €10 weekly increase across social welfare schemes from 1 January 2026. This raised the maximum personal rate of State pension contributory to €299.30 per week and non-contributory to €288.00 per week.

These increases were set above the prevailing consumer price index, CPI, with pension rates rising by 3.46% for contributory and 3.60% for non-contributory.

In determining these budget increases, consideration was given to the most recent available consumer price index data and the broader cost of living pressures were also assessed in areas such as housing, energy and food.

I am very conscious of the impact that increases in the cost of living are having on those who rely on social protection supports, particularly older people who may not have the ability to get extra income, but also carers, those with disabilities and low-income families.

Additional relevant measures contained in budget 2026 included a €5 increase in the fuel allowance, which brought it to €38 per week, and a Christmas bonus was paid to pension recipients in December. In March, as the Deputy knows, the Government also approved an extension of the 2025-26 fuel allowance season by four weeks, which will see it continue to the end of this week, as part of the temporary and targeted measures to help those most vulnerable to rising energy costs. That included pensioners, and over 460,000 households are in receipt of the fuel allowance payment.

While it is not possible at this stage to set out specific budget parameters for budget 2027, we are very much closely monitoring developments. All changes to the current rate of payment for contributory and non-contributory payments will be considered in a budgetary context but with a very sharp eye on the pressures our pensioners are facing.

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