Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility of a person (details supplied) for increases in their weekly pension following recent announcements in Budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50370/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The personal rate of the widow's contributory pension of the person concerned will increase from a weekly rate of €263.30 to €275.30 from January 2023.The person concerned is also entitled to a living alone allowance of €22 per week.

In the budget a number of once off cost of living measures were announced. As part of these measures, the person concerned will be paid a double week pension in October 2022. As a person who lives alone, she will also be paid €200 lump sum payment in November 2022. In addition, the person concerned will receive the Christmas bonus double payment in December 2022.

The person concerned is also in receipt of Electricity Allowance of €1.15 per day, paid monthly, and also has a free TV Licence.

The entitlement of the person concerned to a fuel allowance was last examined in 2018. I have arranged for a fuel allowance application form to be posted to their home address. On receipt of a completed application form, their entitlement will be examined, and they will be notified of the outcome.

I trust the above clarifies the matter for the Deputy.