Government's social spending rises to €857m in six months
97,000 people, considered as being low income, received what is known as the Additional Cost of Living Adjustment
Government spending on social services reached a record €857 million in the first half of this year, €85 million more than in the same period last year. Most of the increase was on old age pensions.
The ministry said almost 98,000 pensioners received a total of more than €650m in improved retirement pensions, invalidity pension and widows' pensions.
People entitled to non-contributory old-age pensions received €11 million.
€10.4 million were handed to 3,490 persons, mostly women, who were not entitled to pensions since they had not paid in enough social security contributions.
Benefits to families with children reached €48 million - up by €10m - mostly on the supplement to the children's allowance as well as the benefit to families having children in post-secondary education.
97,000 people, considered as being low income, received what is known as the Additional Cost of Living Adjustment, totalling €25 million. That was an outlay of €6 million more than in the same period in 2024. The payments are given to people who cannot cope with inflation simply on the basis of the cost of living adjustment (COLA).
Social Welfare Minister Michael Falzon in a statement said fewer people were receiving unemployment benefits and social assistance, thanks to a growing economy. Their number had declined from 16,000 in 2013 to 5,700 now.