15. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering an increase in the living alone allowance in the context of Budget 2027. [67244/26]

The Living Alone Increase is an additional weekly payment made to people who live alone and are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. It is available to people aged 66 and over receiving a State Pension, Bereaved Partner’s Pension, Deserted Wife’s Benefit, Incapacity Supplement or certain Occupational Injuries benefits. It is also available to people aged under 66 in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension or Incapacity Supplement. The current rate is €22 per week.

The Living Alone Increase is not a stand-alone payment and is therefore payable only to people receiving a qualifying social welfare payment. Approximately 260,000 people currently receive the increase.

The purpose of the payment is to recognise that people living alone must meet the cost of running and maintaining a household from a single income. It therefore provides additional support to pensioners and people with disabilities or long-term illness who may be particularly vulnerable to financial pressures.

The Living Alone Increase has risen from €9 per week in 2019 to €22 today, an increase of 144%. Core social welfare rates have increased by €51 per week over the same period. Budget 2026 provided for a €10 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, together with other targeted measures to assist households.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions relating to Budget 2027 have not yet been finalised. Any increase in the Living Alone Increase must be considered in the context of the overall budgetary position, including possible increases to primary rates and other supports available to those who receive the payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.