Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending the €500 payment for people with disabilities to those who have moved to the State contributory pension due to their age (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52477/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2023, the Social Protection budget has been designed to assist people with cost-of-living increases through a mix of lump sum payments, increases to weekly payment rates and an expansion of the fuel allowance scheme.

The measures introduced include the provision of a one-off €500 Cost-of-Living lump sum, which will be paid in November 2022 to recipients of the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer's Support Grant. Recipients who are in receipt of one (or more) of these payments will qualify for the €500 payment.

Persons in receipt of a State Pension are not eligible for this lump sum. They will however receive a double payment of their pension on 21^stOctober 2022 under the Autumn Cost-of-Living Support measure which I also announced in the recent Budget and will receive a Christmas Bonus double payment on 9^thDecember 2022.  

Persons in receipt of Fuel Allowance will receive a €400 Lump Sum Fuel Allowance payment. Persons who are in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance will receive a €200 Living Alone Lump Sum payment. Both of these payments will be paid in the week commencing 14^thNovember 2022.  

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider increasing the recent RSS and Tús top-up of €5 in Budget 2023 to at least €12 to keep pace with other social welfare payments. [52480/22]

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 almost €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.

As part of this package, I announced that weekly social welfare rates will increase by €12 from January 2023. I also announced that the top-up paid to participants on the Rural Social Scheme and Tús schemes will also increase by €5, to be paid in addition to the €12 increase in core weekly rates.

I am happy to clarify for the Deputy, therefore, that participants on the Rural and Social Scheme and Tús will benefit from both measures - a combined €17 in their weekly payment rate.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of the working family payment renewal for a person (details supplied); when this payment will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52493/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work weekly payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children.

An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 25 August 2022.  Further information was requested by the Department.  The person concerned submitted this information, and it was received by the Department.

A Deciding Officer reviewed the application, and WFP was awarded on 17 October 2022, with effect from 13 October 2022 (renewal date) to 11 October 2023.  The first weekly payment and all arrears owing have issued to their selected financial account on 17 October 2022.

The person concerned was notified on 17 October 2022 of this decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.