Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1324.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for a list of the supports currently available to families with the rising cost-of-living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32168/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise the challenges the increased the cost of living has brought to many people and families. That is why, last year, I announced the largest social protection Budget package in the history of the State - comprising measures worth almost €2.3 billion, including for the second year in succession, a €12 across the board increase in weekly rates.

Most weekly social welfare payments also include provision for an additional payment – an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) – in respect of each qualified child up to the age of 18, which is extended to older children up to age 22 under certain circumstances. This measure provides targeted support to low-income families. In Budget 2024, the IQC rates increased by €4 to €46 per child for under 12s and to €54 per week for those aged 12 and over.

These increases were provided in the context of an overall package which also included once-off measures to help ease the cost-of-living pressures for low-income households.

The improvements to the Working Family Payment thresholds also targets low-income families with children, resulting in an increase of income thresholds for all families by €54 per week.

Those in receipt of the Working Family Payment received a once-off €400 lump sum payment in November 2023. Recipients of long-term social welfare payments received the Christmas Bonus double payment in December, along with a payment of a 100% January Bonus this year. Those in receipt of an increase for a qualified child received a once-off payment of €100 per child. A double child benefit payment was also issued in December 2023 and Child Benefit was extended to 18 year-olds in full-time education, with effect from May this year.

There were also further extensions to the Hot School Meals programme. Parents Benefit is also being extended to nine weeks for each parent from August 2024.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested once-off payment. It is available to assist families with the cost of school uniforms and footwear. €160 is paid in respect of children aged 4-11 years old and €285 is paid in respect of children aged 12 years and over in second level education. The scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year. Earlier this month payments totaling over €48 million were made to 128,000 families in respect of over 225,000 children.

Post-Budget analysis from the ESRI shows that the Budget 2024 package will insulate most households from rising prices in 2024, with lone parents seeing above average gains in disposable income as a result of the full package of Budget measures. Budget 2024 therefore protected the most vulnerable in our society, particularly children in low-income families.

I trust this clarifies the matter raised by the Deputy.