2084. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the living alone allowance by €1, €5 and €10 per week; when it was last increased; if it is being considered for increase this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63215/26]

The estimated cost of increasing the Living Alone Allowance by €1 per week is €13.4m, by €5 per week is €67.1m, and by €10 per week is €134.1m.

It should be noted that these costings are subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2027.

It is acknowledged that those who live alone and who are dependent on certain payments from my Department face a higher cost of living than a two-person, or couple, household. It is for this reason that the Living Alone Increase is available to those in receipt of qualifying payments from my Department.

The Living Alone Increase is a supplementary payment to those who are aged over 66, living alone and in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Bereaved Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, an Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme or a Deserted Wife's Benefit. It is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of a Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.

The current rate of the Living Alone Increase is €22 a week. It has increased by over 144% since 2019, when it was just €9 per week. The most recent change to the rate was in Budget 2022 when it was increased by €3, from €19 per week to its current rate of €22 per week.

Any future changes to the qualifying criteria or rate of pay for the Living Alone Increase will have to be considered in the overall budgetary context, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available to those who receive the payment.