Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
399. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the first year and full year costs of the working family payment, jobseeker's transitional, one parent family payment and the existing child support payments; and the number of respective recipients, in tabular form. [46768/26]
View answerThe estimated first year and full year cost of a €1 increase for One Parent Family Payment is €2.3 million, based on 43,418 recipients.
The estimated first year and full year cost of a €1 increase for the Child Support Payment for under and over 12s is €14.4 million, based on 321,021.
In relation to Jobseekers Transitional Payment, the number of recipients at the end of April 2026 was 17,693 based on this figure a €1 increase for these recipients would cost an additional €0.9 million based on the current rate for a full year.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and the associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2026.
It should be noted that Working Family Payment differs from schemes such as Jobseeker’s Allowance in that the rate is based on the difference between household income and a threshold rather than a general core rate with additional child and adult payments. As a result, to increase the rate of Working Family Payment would require an increase in the threshold and this would vary by family type.
The number of recipients of Working Family Payment as of the end of May 2026 was 55,617. On this basis a €1 increase per claimant would cost just under €2.9 million for the full year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
|
Scheme |
Recipients (#) |
Cost (€m) |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
43,418 |
2.3 |
|
Child Support Payment (Over & Under 12's) |
321,021 |
14.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment |
17,693 |
0.9 |
|
Working Family Payment |
55,617 |
2.9 |
