Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which it continues to be possible to address particularly sensitive issues in respect of family income and the cost-of-living impact; if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of her Department’s resources to address such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6132/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she expects an increase in the demand for social welfare payments in the current year; if she is satisfied that these demands will be met in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6133/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 31 together.

I fully recognise the challenges that the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families. That is why, in September, I announced the largest ever Social Protection Budget package in the history of the State - comprising measures worth almost €2.2 billion.

This included eight separate cost of living lump sum payments throughout October, November and December to ease the pressure that many families are facing.

From the start of January, we have seen a wide range of increases come into effect which were announced as part of Budget 2023. This includes a €12 across the board increase to weekly rates – the largest increase to weekly rates since the mid-2000s. We have also provided measures which directly target families - increasing the Working Family Payment thresholds by €40, and the weekly Qualified Child allowance by €2 per week.

I also announced the largest ever expansion in the Fuel Allowance scheme, and we have seen over 20,000 additional households join this scheme since the Budget.

The ESRI post-Budget analysis shows that Budget 2023, combined with once-off measures to reduce the cost of living, will be effective in protecting most households from rising prices this winter. Their analysis further shows that the approach taken by the Government, of targeted welfare measures combined with universal energy credits, will be more effective at protecting most lower income households this winter than had welfare rate payments risen in line with inflation in 2022/2023.And further measures are in train - the third energy credit is due in March / April and will deliver a further €200 to virtually all households in the state.

Also, when including the once-off measures, the ESRI’s December Distributional Analysis shows that the Budget was progressive, helping those in the lower income deciles most.

I would like to highlight that if any person or family is struggling to pay their bills, they can apply to my Department for the Additional Needs Payment.

My Department has made a provision of €23.9 billion for schemes and services in 2023, which includes €480 million for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive.

In 2022, expenditure amounted to €24.6 billion. This included payments of once-off cost of living measures totaling €1.29 billion, payments on Covid related schemes totaling €1.23 billion and payments to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive totaling €240 million. €21.9 billion was spent on core Department of Social Protection funding.

Therefore, when compared to 2022, the core funding in 2023 is over €1.5 billion higher, year on year.

Finally, I can assure you that we are keeping the situation under close review on a whole of Government basis and are ready to respond as and when required.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.