Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to introduce cost-of-living supports for adult dependents or those on non-contributory pensions, as many have been left out of earlier cost-of-living supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24247/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Since March last year, my Department has responded to the increase in the cost of living by providing a range of unprecedented supports to protect people and families.

These supports include double payment weeks in October and December, payment rate increases from January and a wide range of lump sum payments. The latest lump sum payment was paid last month to 1.3 million primary recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments.

The payment was made to primary recipients of qualifying payments - both contributory and non-contributory. This payment was part of a wider Spring package costing €410m.

The Spring package follows on from a €2.2 Billion Social Protection Budget 2023 Package - the largest in the history of the state – which included eight lump sum payments delivered across the last quarter of 2022.

My Department has also brought in measures earlier in 2022 to help households with increasing prices, for example, two Fuel Allowance lump sums were paid in March and May and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance which was increased by €100.

As the Deputy is aware, I and my Government colleagues continue to provide support for many households with the cost of living, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable. Further supports, focused on children, through Child Benefit, Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance and the School Meals programme are in train as we move into the summer. Government will continue to keep the Cost of Living situation under close review.