Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total projected expenditure in 2022 in relation to assisting households and persons with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56659/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Government has provided significant resources in 2022 to assist households and persons with rising costs of living.

To go towards alleviating the difficulties posed to many by increased prices, Budget 2023 contains a significant response to support households. The €2.2 billion Winter Household Cost of Living package announced as part of Budget 2023 will be delivered in a timely manner, will benefit every household in the State to some degree and will be progressive in nature by supporting those on lower incomes to a larger degree. This package comprises:

- 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 payments 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 the two instalments in the New Year.

In addition, a Christmas Bonus will also be paid to eligible social protection recipients in in 2022, at an estimated cost of €0.3 billion.

This package builds on the earlier supports introduced.

In Budget 2022, a range of measures were introduced with a value of almost €1.2 billion. This included a Social Protection package of an additional €558 million which, among other measures, provided for increases of €5 per week in weekly Social Welfare payments and in the weekly rate of fuel allowance.

In February, Government announced a package of support measures to mitigate the impact of cost of living pressures. Building on the earlier Electricity Credit announcement made, this package increased the Electricity Credit to €200 including VAT, provided for a fuel allowance lump sum payment of €125 and introduced a temporary reduction in fares of 20% on PSO public transport services among other measures. Subsequent measures introduced included a further fuel allowance payment and a back to school package.

Together, these 2022 expenditure measures have a value of almost €4.3 billion. Additional support has been provided through the taxation system, with a Budget 2022 income tax package and excise duty reductions among the measures introduced.