Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will realign the qualification thresholds for the household benefits package with the newly increased fuel allowance thresholds; if she could provide an estimated costing for this measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6403/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €285 million this year on HHB for over 507,000 customers. People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package 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 package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

In line with previous increases to the allowable means for Fuel Allowance, the means test threshold for the HHB package was similarly increased. Therefore, from the 2nd of January 2023, the means threshold for HHB purposes for people aged between 66 and under 70 years was increased from €120 to €200 a week above the relevant State Pension (Contributory) rate.

The cost of this measure in 2023 is estimated to be in the region of €1 - 1.5 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she expects progress on reforms to the welfare system for workers who, through no fault of their own, lose their job following years of service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6418/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently launched a public consultation on proposals for a new pay-related benefit for jobseekers which builds on commitments in the Programme for Government, the Economic Recovery Plan and Pathways to Work.

A pay-related benefit means that the amount of benefit an eligible person receives when they become fully unemployed is directly linked to their previous earnings, subject to a maximum payment. This is intended to provide a more effective cushion against the income shock when a person loses their employment and would bring Ireland in line with other European countries.

I published a 'Strawman' proposal in December last year which sets out the broad guidelines of a new approach to a pay-related jobseeker's benefit. It is not a final design. The objective of the draft proposal is to invite feedback through a national public consultation process to develop a preferred policy design. Submissions are due by 28th February 2023.

As part of the public consultation process, the Department will host a stakeholder event this week, on 10th February 2023. This is open to stakeholder groups and members of the public.

Full details of how to register for the stakeholder event and how to make a written submission on the proposals for a new pay-related benefit for jobseekers are available on the Department's website at gov.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.