Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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594. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not yet received the €5.00 increase for all social welfare recipients given that it came into effect since the 1 January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14117/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The pension budgetary increases were paid in the first week in January 2022. There was an increase of €5.00, on the maximum weekly rate, of all State Pensions and, proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced rate. There was also a proportionate increase for Qualified Adults.

The person concerned is in receipt of an increase for a Qualified Adult allowance on their spouse’s State Pension (contributory) which is paid at a rate of up to 90% of maximum State Pension (contributory). This gave an entitlement to a proportionate budget increase of €4.50 per week which was paid on 7th January 2022. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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595. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if child benefit payments will be increased given the significant increase in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14122/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Child Benefit is a monthly payment made to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years. The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 18th birthday who are in full-time education, or who have a disability. Child Benefit is currently paid to over 631,000 families in respect of almost 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2022. 

The Government recognised the challenges of rising prices last October in Budget 2022 when we brought in a package of tax and social welfare measures worth over €1 billion. Last month, the Government agreed a further package of €505 million, including the €200 energy credit and a lump sum payment of €125 for those in receipt of the fuel allowance. This month the Government brought in a further tax measure, to immediately reduce the cost of fuels for families and businesses.

As part of Budget 2022, I increased the rates for a qualified child aged under 12 by €2 to €40 per week, and for a qualified child aged 12 or older by €3 to €48 per week, from January. I increased the level of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance by €10 to €160 for each child aged 4 to 11 years and to €285 for each child aged 12 and over. I also equalised the income limits for one and two parent households, thereby making it easier for lone parents to qualify for that payment.  

Budget 2022 also provided for a €10 weekly increase in the income limits for Working Family Payment, and I am pleased that this will now come into effect from April, 2022 as part of the Government's response to cost of living increases.

Any proposal for an increase in Child Benefit payment rates would have significant cost implications and would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.