Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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467. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full -ear cost of increasing the maximum rate of disability allowance to €228.50 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8259/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The estimated full year cost to increase Disability Allowance to €228.50 per week is €74.4 million.

This costing is based on the estimated number of recipients in 2023 and is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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468. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a double payment of child benefit is being considered for families given the current cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8260/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

But we are aware that the cost of living continues to present challenges for people and families throughout the state who are feeling the effects of persistently high prices.

That is why Government has announced additional support for people over the coming months, including :

- A €200 lump sum payment to be provided in April to people on long-term Social Protection payments, on the same basis as the Christmas bonus, and including WFP recipients.

- For people receiving Child Benefit, a €100 lump sum payment for each child to be paid in June.

- An additional payment of €100 to be paid for each child for whom Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is paid.

Together, these supports will provide over €410 million in additional supports to households and families in need.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.