Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he has taken to deal with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56293/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2023 set out a responsive approach to fiscal policy investing in the future of our public services and economy while addressing the challenges faced today. Budget 2023 contained significant measures, of c. €4.5 billion, to support households, public and community services and businesses.

As part of this budget, a winter cost of living package for households was announced by Government, costing €2.2 billion. It included:

- a double week of weekly social welfare schemes in October,

- a fuel allowance lump sum of €400,

- a once-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of Carer's Support Grant and to people on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension & Invalidity Pension,

- a €200 living alone allowance lump sum,

- a €500 working family payment lump sum,

- a double child benefit payment,

- a once off reduction in the student contribution fee by €1,000 for undergrads and 1/3 for Apprentices; €1,000 increase to post-graduates’ tuition fee contribution grant.

- a double payment to those eligible for SUSI maintenance grants and once off payment of €500 for SFI and IRC PhD researchers,

- €8 million for the Student Assistance fund, and

- three €200 electricity credits with two instalments due in the New Year.

In addition, a Christmas Bonus will be paid to eligible social protection recipients in 2022.

In recognition of the unprecedented rise in energy bills, Government introduced a number of further one-off support measures for businesses and public services;

- it provided €340 million in 2022 in support of public and community services,

- it will introduce a €200 million Ukraine Emergency Response Scheme, helping firms faced with liquidity issues as a result of increased energy costs, (administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment).

- it is introducing a Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, providing up to €1.2Bn in support to businesses encountering increased energy costs.

Budget 2023 also included new core permanent spending measures, focusing on cost of living, with an estimated value of c. €1.3 billion, including a €12 weekly Social Protection rate increase for working age and pension payments and an increase in the universal subsidy on the National Childcare Scheme.

Outside of these expenditure supports, additional taxation measures for households and business were also announced as part of Budget 2023.

The Government’s aim is to deliver sustainable public expenditure, and Budget 2023 balanced the need to protect the real value of public services and support citizens without adding further to inflationary pressures. The measures introduced recognise the particular challenges faced by those on lower and fixed incomes and the elevated energy-related costs. The measures were also designed to be capable of timely implementation.