Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2016 of a 1%; 2% and €5 per week increase in the weekly rate of all pension age payments, including proportionate increases for qualified adults where applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33807/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2016 of a €5 increase in the monthly rate of child benefit from €135 to €140; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33808/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost in 2016 of an increase in the respite care grant to €1,700; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33809/15]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost in 2016 of a €5 increase in the monthly rate of child benefit. [33903/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 to 44, inclusive, and 55 together.

The cost in 2016 of a 1%, 2% and €5 per week increase in the weekly rate of all pension-age payments (including proportionate increases for qualified adults, where applicable) is €71 million, €141.1 million and €154.6 million respectively.

The cost in 2016 of a €5 increase in the monthly rate of Child Benefit (from €135 to €140) is €72.6 million.

The cost in 2016 of an increase in the Respite Care Grant by €325, from €1,375 to €1,700 is €30.15 million.

These costings assume the relevant rates of payment increase from the beginning of January 2016. It should be noted that the costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2016.