Erin McGreehan
Ceist:123. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the action he is taking to support pensioners living alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62067/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 November 2025
Ceisteanna (123)
Freagraí scríofa
Primary weekly social welfare payments are intended to enable recipients to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. Payments available to those over 66 include the State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory) and the Bereaved Partners' Contributory Pension.
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 has a measure they call the “Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL)”.
The data shows that the cost of living for a single person is slightly more than the individualized cost of two people living together. For this reason, the Living Alone Increase is available to those in receipt of qualifying payments. The Living Alone Increase is currently paid at €22 per week.
There are a number of additional supports in the social welfare system which may further benefit a pensioner living alone:
• People in receipt of a Pension may also be eligible for the Household Benefits Package.
• A person in receipt of a Pension may also qualify to receive Fuel Allowance, subject to the conditions of the scheme, including a means test. The weekly rate of payment increased in Budget 2026 to €38 per week.
• A person in receipt of a Pension and who qualifies for both the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance will automatically qualify for the Telephone Support Allowance. This payment aims to help those living alone with the cost of communications and/or home alert security systems.
Furthermore, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.