Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if participants on CE schemes with a disability will be included in the €500 top-up for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53772/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, my Department will spend €1.3 billion this year on cost-of-living supports to help individuals and families through this difficult period.

The €500 lump sum payment to those on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension was paid to those receiving these payments in the relevant week in November. Community Employment participants are not eligible for the €500 disability lump sum.

However, the participants of the Community Employment scheme were eligible for the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment paid last month, and the Christmas Bonus in December. Those participants with children were also eligible for the Double Payment of Child Benefit earlier this month.

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.