Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
901. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people received the household benefit scheme in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and the cost of the scheme to the State in each of these years. [17034/23]
View answerThe Household Benefits package comprises of an electricity or gas allowance, and a free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Only one Household Benefits package is payable per household.
The number of recipients and annual expenditure of Household Benefits from 2020 to 2022 is shown in the table below:
|
Household Benefits |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (provisional) |
|
Recipients |
471,977 |
484,338 |
506,635 |
|
Expenditure |
€263.3m |
€274.2m |
€281.5m |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
