Written answer
State Pensions
The Minister said the State Pension remains effective in preventing poverty, with the maximum contributory rate increased to €299.30 weekly in 2026 alongside supports such as the Living Alone Increase, Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits Package. Future adequacy adjustments will be considered through the annual budget process, informed by cost-of-living evidence.
74. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the current State pension provides an adequate income for older persons in view of the cost of living pressures that pensioners are reporting, particularly for pensioners living in rural areas; and if he will make a full statement on the matter. [67626/26]
Comment on this
The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is very effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.
Over €12 billion was allocated to State Pensions in Budget 2026, which was an increase of €700m on Budget 2025. From January of this year, the weekly State Pension increased by €10. This means the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory) is now €299.30 per week.
Since 2021, the State Pension (Contributory) has increased by €51 per week. This shows continued commitment to supporting older people and this will remain a priority for Government.
In addition, my Department also provides a range of other payments which help to support older people in meeting their costs-of-living:
It is recognised that the cost of living for a person living alone is greater than the individualised cost of two or more people living together. That is why a weekly Living Alone Increase of €22 is payable to all pensioners living alone who are in receipt of a State Pension from my Department. This payment has increased by over 144% since 2019, when it was just €9 per week.
The over 80 allowance, which is an increase of €10 per week on the basic pension rate, is automatically awarded to qualified pensioners on attaining 80 years of age.
• The Free Travel Scheme is available to all people aged over 66 years permanently residing in the State.
• The Household Benefits Package is a supplementary payment to assist with the cost of electricity or gas bill. It also includes a TV licence.
• The Fuel Allowance is a weekly payment of €38 payment to help with the cost of home heating during the winter months. It is paid to only one person in a household.
• The Telephone Support Allowance is payable when a person is in receipt of a qualifying payment AND the Living Alone Increase AND the Fuel Allowance.
• The Island Allowance is a weekly social welfare increase of €20 for residents of certain Irish islands to offset extra living costs.
The rate of primary and secondary payments to pensioners, and their adequacy, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process. In doing so, the Government considers evidence from a wide range of sources, including agencies such as the CSO, and also research submitted by advocacy groups such as the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, which uses a measure they call the “Minimum Essential Standard of Living," or MESL.
Any future changes to the rate of payment for the State Pension and any supplementary payments would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.