672. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on how the State pension payment is being protected, as set out in the Programme for Government, in circumstances where the recent €12-per-week increase has resulted in the weekly pension payment dropping to just 30% of the average weekly wage from 32% prior to Budget 2025. [44567/24]

In assessing Budget options, the Government was mindful that the cost of living pressures are most acute over the winter period.  For that reason, rather than taking a simplistic approach to applying an indexed rate of increase to weekly rates of payment, the Government decided to 'front-load' supports through the provision of once-off payments, including extra payments for pensioners receiving Fuel Allowance, those in receipt of carer’s payments and those living alone.

These payments will be provided in addition, not only to the €12 increase in the weekly payment rate, but to the double week payments delivered in October and December.

This combination of once-off payments means that, in real terms, pensioners are receiving a much larger increase than €12 per week while ensuring that a significant proportion of this value is delivered when people need it most over the winter period.

Post Budget analysis by the ESRI that shows that the package of measures introduced under Budget 2025 will result in average gains in income for most households next year.

This package including the cost of living measures are key in ensuring the most vulnerable in our society are protected from the increased cost of living.