Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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535. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she can account for a 15% increase in calls to an organisation (details supplied) given that an extra 62,000 persons are seeking its help; and her views on whether the payments from her Department are sufficient to meet the cost of living. [24941/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Social Protection I regularly meet with stakeholders in the community and voluntary sector, such as St. Vincent de Paul, through events such as the annual pre-budget forum. I value the informed views and opinions of these organisations.

I am very aware of the challenges facing low-income households as a result of the recent increases in consumer prices. These increases, which are mainly due to external factors, have exceeded even the highest forecasts.

The Government acted early and did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government announced a package of measures in February, which will have a positive impact on the incomes of all households in our country. This package will cost in excess of half a billion euro.

This package included a lump sum of €125 to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment, which was paid to social welfare recipients in March. This week, a further lump sum payment of €100 will be paid to these households.

Taken together with the €5 increase in Fuel Allowance announced as part of Budget 2022, this means that low-income households will see an increase of 55% in Fuel Allowance support provided during this Fuel season when compared to last season.

A recipient household which would have received €735 in fuel season 2020/2021 will see an increase of €404 to €1,139 in Fuel Allowance payments in fuel season 2021/2022. When taken in conjunction with the electricity costs emergency benefit payment, such households will have received over €600 in additional targeted Government supports over the course of this fuel season. €600 is the equivalent of over 18 weeks' additional fuel allowance at current rates.

The increase of €10 to the weekly income threshold of the Working Family Payment was also brought forward, taking effect from early April 2022 rather than from June.

These measures are in addition to those introduced as part of Budget 2022, which included the largest social welfare Budget package in 14 years. In January, around 1.4 million people received a €5 increase in weekly payments, and more if they have dependents. Targeted, evidence-based measures such as increases to Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Allowance and Qualified Child payments have ensured the largest increases are aimed at the most vulnerable. This approach is in line with the recent recommendations of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight's Report on Inflation.

The Government will continue to monitor this situation closely.