Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that in forthcoming Budget 2015 that there will be no further reductions or alteration to household benefit and free travel facilities, that the living alone allowance be substantially increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31883/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Government, in its Statement of Priorities for 2014 – 2016 published last Friday, is committed to increasing the household benefits package by €100 in Budget 2015 to compensate older people and other vulnerable groups for the introduction of water charges.

Furthermore, the Government’s priorities for the period to 2016 also includes a commitment to the full retention of the free travel scheme. This commitment recognises the importance of the free travel pass to pensioners, people with disabilities and recipients of carer’s allowance. Since its introduction in the 1960s, the free travel scheme has been highly valued as it allows beneficiaries to participate and remain active in the community.

The appropriate rates of other welfare supports in the year ahead, including the living alone allowance, will be considered by Government as part of its deliberations on the next Budget. In this regard, each €1 per week increase in the living alone allowance would cost €9.4 million in a full year.