Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will clarify whether the cost-of-living payment included in Budget 2023 will be available to all social welfare recipients given that there was reference to the payment being made to long-term recipients, not all recipients; if she will ensure that this information is widely available given that communication so far will undoubtedly cause confusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48772/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I have secured a package of €2.2 billion for Social Protection measures as part of Budget 2023. This represents the largest Budget package for the Department of Social Protection in the history of the State and will help to support our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and families during this difficult period.

The Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment will be paid to all those schemes which are normally eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus. In addition, the requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months will be removed. This will allow short-term jobseekers and persons in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance to qualify for the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment.

As with the Department's previous Budgets, an extensive public information campaign will ensure the Budget measures are widely communicated. Information will also be published on the relevant scheme pages on gov.ie to ensure awareness of the key Budget measures introduced, including the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.