Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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53. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures introduced in budget 2016 that will benefit senior citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39878/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On Budget Day, I announced a social welfare Budget package for 2016 with four key aims:

- To increase supports for pensioners aged 66 and over;

- To strengthen supports for families with children;

- To increase the momentum to date in helping jobseekers back to work; and

- To provide targeted assistance for vulnerable groups.

More than 676,500 pensioners and their dependents will benefit from the above-inflation €3 increase in the weekly rate of payments to all social welfare recipients aged 66 and over. This is the first weekly rate increase for pensioners since 2009 and builds on the increase in the Living Alone Allowance last year. This is the first general rate increase for pensioners since 2009.

I was also pleased to reintroduce a Christmas Bonus payable at 25% of the weekly rate last year. This year I am in a position to provide a 75% Christmas Bonus payment for all welfare recipients, including pensioners. For example, in the case of a pensioner couple, both in receipt of the non-contributory State Pension, it will mean a bonus payment of €327.50.

In addition, pensioners eligible for the Fuel Allowance will gain from the increase in January of €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week over the fuel season.

Funding for the Free Travel scheme, which benefits a large number of pensioners, is being increased by €3m, from €77m to €80m, to meet increased numbers eligible for the scheme and therefore fully protect entitlements under the scheme.

Finally, pensioners who have income over and above their social welfare pension may also benefit from the USC changes introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Finance.