Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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113. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 5 October 2022 if she will provide the number of persons on the community employment scheme stream to date; and if she will reflect on her position in respect of the once-off €500 payment and issue the payment to this cohort. [50668/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion during the coming months to help individuals and families through this difficult period.

The €500 lump sum payment to those on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension will be paid only to those receiving these payments in the relevant week in November.

However, the 20,913 participants of the Community Employment scheme will be eligible for the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment later this month, and the Christmas Bonus in December. Those participants with children may also be eligible for the Double Payment of Child Benefit in November.

As part of Budget 2023, I was pleased to announce a €12 increase in weekly payments from next January. This will apply to Disability Allowance recipients and Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme and Tús scheme participants. I am also increasing the Qualified Child rate by €2 per week.

In addition, I am increasing the top-up rate on these employment schemes by €5 per week. This means that, combined with the rate increase, participants on these schemes will see a rise of €17 per week next year, and more for participants with adult or child dependents.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.