Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
183. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in County Kerry who will be affected by the changes in budget 2026 to the living alone allowance; the estimated number of people who would have benefitted if further funding was provided for the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64266/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Alone Increase (LAI) is a weekly payment, which is not means-tested. The LAI is an increased additional payment made each week to:
• people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including State pensions, and who are living alone;
• people who are less than 66 years of age, living alone and in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
In 2025, recipients of the Living Alone Increase received €22 per week in addition to their primary social welfare payment, or a total of €1,144 over the course of the year. The payment more than doubled between Budget 2020 and 2022 – increasing by €13 per week from €9 to €22 in that period.
As part of Budget 2026, there were no changes to the Living Alone Increase.
However, Budget 2026 will see an increase of €10 per week to maximum personal payment rates, benefitting people such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents, with proportionate increases for people receiving a reduced payment rate and for qualified adults.
