Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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631. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason recipients of the State pension (contributory) and non-contributory pension did not receive their first payment increase until the last Friday of March 2019 with regard to the Budget 2019 announcement of a €5 increase across the board for social welfare recipients payable from March 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43478/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Budget 2019 package, I announced a general increase in the weekly rates of payment, building on similar increases introduced in Budget 2017 and Budget 2018.  A €5 increase in the weekly rates of payment for all social welfare recipients was announced, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates of payment.

To allow for the full rate increase to be provided within the resources allocated for 2019, this general increase came into effect in the week beginning March 25th, 2019.  These increases cost €269m in 2019 and €350m in a full year.

I was pleased to announce on Budget Day this year that Budget 2020 increases will take effect in the week beginning 6th January, 2020.