Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budgets 2023 and 2024, the Department of Social Protection assisted families and vulnerable citizens through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.

The measures introduced included the provision of once-off Cost-of-Living lump sums, to recipients of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer's Support Grant. Recipients who are in receipt of one (or more) of these payments qualified for the payment.

Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are means tested social assistance schemes. They are subject to a medical assessment and habitual residency requirement. Disability Allowance is a working aged payment paid to people aged 16 to 66 years, while Blind Pension is paid from 18 to 66 years. Maximum rates for Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are currently €232 per week.

Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by PRSI contributions. It is a working aged payment paid to people between the ages of 18 and66 years. Currently, the maximum personal rate of Invalidity Pension is €237.50.

By contrast, the State Pension, whether Contributory or Non-Contributory, is not a working age payment. It is paid to those who have reached pensionable age 66. Currently, the maximum weekly personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) is €277.30, some €40 per week more than those in receipt of a disability payment.

Persons in receipt of a State Pension were not eligible for the one-off Cost-of-Living lump sums announced in Budgets 2023 and 2024.

However, persons in receipt of the State Pension did receive the following:

• A €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all State Pensions from January 2024. There are proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate.
• A €300 cost-of-living lump sum for those getting the Fuel Allowance paid in November 2023.
• A €200 cost-of-living lump sum to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase paid in November 2023.
• A Christmas Bonus paid in December 2023.
• A January cost-of-living bonus for pensioners paid in 2024.

Any person experiencing financial hardship may seek financial assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, by way of an Exceptional Needs Payment or Urgent Needs Payment. This scheme does not have age criteria.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.