Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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217. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of raising each weekly welfare and pension payment for every 1% increase. [38127/18]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of each percentage and €1 increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 years of age and over. [38158/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 219 together.

The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in weekly working age payments (to recipients under the age of 66) is €74.26 million. The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in weekly payments to pensioners aged 66 and over is €79.39 million. The total cost of a 1% increase in all weekly schemes is €153.66 million in 2019 and a full year. This cost includes proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on a reduced rate of payment, where applicable.

The estimated full year cost of a 1% increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 and over is €1.82 million. The estimated full year cost of a €1 increase in the qualified child increase for children aged 12 and over is €6.07 million.

It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019.

The appropriate rates of weekly social welfare payments, including the rate of the qualified child increase, will be considered by Government in the context of the Budget, in light of available resources and other priorities.