1999. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing all core weekly social welfare payments by €15 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56689/26]

The estimated full-year cost of increasing each core weekly social welfare scheme by €15 is €1.1 billion.

It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and the associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2026.

It should also be noted that these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.