Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his views on the ESRI’s assessment that measures in Budget 2026 will reduce average household disposable income by about 2% next year, with proportionally higher losses for low-income households due to the withdrawal of once-off supports; the targeted measures he will take before January 2026 to mitigate projected increases in income poverty; and to publish his Department’s distributional analysis underpinning these decisions. [56307/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Budget 2026 provides for €28.9 billion to be spent on social welfare in 2026. The measures contained in the Budget are designed to support the most vulnerable in our society with the increased cost of living and there is a particular focus on tackling child poverty.

The wide array of measures clearly demonstrates the huge focus the Government has placed on assisting vulnerable people and families.

Minister Chambers and Minister Donohoe, along with the rest of Government, were very clear that there would be no once-off measures in this Budget.

However, the Government has prioritised targeted permanent measures including more than €320 million in targeted measures designed to tackle child poverty. This will make a real difference in the drive to alleviate child poverty and improve the lives of many children and their families across Ireland.

These increases exceed the rate of inflation and will directly benefit about 330,000 children whose parents are in receipt of a social welfare payment.

I acknowledge the ESRI's assessment about the loss of disposable income, however, I also note that their analysis points out that the budgetary measures targeted at children, such as increases to the Child Support Payment and the Working Families Payment, are well targeted.

Next year, the Department of Social Protection will spend €28.9 billion in social welfare expenditure supporting pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, jobseekers and families in every parish across the country. This expenditure makes a real difference to communities across the country.