Expenditure on social security benefits totalled €731 million last year, an increase of 10 per cent, or €69 million, over the previous year, according to official statistics.

The increase was mainly due to a higher expenditure of €60.5 million on contributory benefits while non-contributory benefits rose by €9 million, the National Statistics Office said.

Invalidity pensions declined by €2 million and benefits relating to industrial injuries dropped by 9.1 per cent. Widow pensions increased by €4.8 million and other benefits went down by €500,000.

Expenditure on social security benefits between October and December last year amounted to €197 million, an increase of €37.8 million compared to the same period in 2009.

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