Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will review the household benefits package, given the energy and cost-of-living crisis. [57256/22]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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461. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department intends to review the household benefits package with a view to increasing same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57897/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 461 together.

The Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB for over 500,000 customers. People over the age of 70 receive the HHB, with one package provided per household. The HHB is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The HHB is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

While the Department's Schemes are reviewed on an ongoing basis, any decision to enhance the HHB package would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.

The Government is very aware of the increased cost of living and in Budget 2023 has provided an unprecedented response that aims to ease the financial pressure on households throughout the State.

As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, an Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment was paid to Social Protection recipients in October.

In November, a €200 Lump Sum Payment was paid to pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance, a €500 Cost of Living Payment is being paid to people receiving Carer’s Support Grant and a €500 Cost of Living Disability Support Grant is being paid to people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension. A €400 additional Lump Sum payment is also being made to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance Payment.

In December, a Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

From January 2023,the maximum rate of core Social Welfare rates will be increased. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people getting a reduced rate. The weekly full rate for a qualified child will increase to €42 for children under 12 years of age and to €50 for children aged 12 years and over.

Also, from January 2023, a new means threshold will be introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The new means threshold will be €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 will be increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory). Similarly, the allowable means for HHB purposes for those aged between 66-69 not in receipt of a qualifying payment will also be increased by €80 to €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory).

The enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure announced in the Budget. This will also benefit all households. The first €200 was applied to electricity bills in November.

The Government will continue to monitor the cost-of-living situation closely.

I would also like to highlight that the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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420. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there has been a change in the way that joint bank accounts are assessed as means in instances in which the account is held jointly by a father and son (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57271/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.

How joint accounts are assessed will depend on several factors including whether both parties are claiming means-tested payments, conditions associated with the account and accessibility of the funds.

If the Deputy has a specific case in mind, please send the details into the Department and I will ask my officials to look into it.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.