Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that the most recent €200 cost-of-living payment was not also paid to dependents on other’s social protection payments, when other payments such as this previously had been (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22249/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The €200 Spring lump sum payment was paid to 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum was paid in late April and cost approximately €261 million.

This support was paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment.

The payment was made to primary recipients of a qualifying payment only.

It is part of a range of additional Cost of Living supports valued at over €400 million announced in February, following on from the largest Social Protection Budget in the history of the state last September, which will provide support to people and families - other supports will include a €100 Child Benefit lump sum in June and a €100 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance lump sum.

The Increase for a Qualified Adult can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.

If a person does not qualify for a social insurance payment based on their PRSI contributions, they may qualify for a means-tested social assistance payment.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.