Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services 2009 - Welfare.ie

older preface people from the ministerPreface from the MinisterI welcome the publication of this 27th edition of the <strong>Statistical</strong> <strong>Information</strong> on Social Welfare Services. This2009 edition of the Annual <strong>Statistical</strong> Report provides comprehensive statistical information on all programmesadministered by the Department of Social Protection.The document illustrates my Department’s ongoing commitment to improving and developing services as anintegral part of wider Government aims and objectives. Reliable data on outputs and trends as contained in thisReport are invaluable elements in the development and implementation of policies to build social inclusion andprogress social cohesion.Supports administered by this Department provide for the complex and multi-faceted needs of people at everystage of life. Continuing to reflect the trend of recent years and re-affirming the Government’s commitment tothe welfare of all those in need of support, social welfare programme expenditure increased to €20.5 billion in2009 - an increase of 15.3% over the previous year.Statistics tell their own story and in 2009:iv• Nearly 1.4 million people were in receipt of a weekly Social Welfare payment, which was paid in respectof just under 2.1 million beneficiaries;• Expenditure on State Pensions increased by 6.3% to €4.6 billion. Payments were made to almost379,000 people in this area;• 602,932 families received a monthly Child Benefit payment, which was paid in respect of 1,156,917children. Expenditure on Child Benefit increased by 1.7% to €2.5 billion;• Family Income Supplement was paid to 25,963 families, benefiting nearly 56,000 children;• Expenditure on Carer’s Allowance increased by 11.6%;• The numbers in receipt of a Carer’s payment increased from 45,818 to 50,140, an increase of 9.4%.This report illustrates and charts the progress being made in improving and developing services, in tandemwith wider Government aims and objectives that have at their core the delivery of improved quality of life andopportunities to people of all ages.Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the staff throughout the Department, for their continuedefforts in implementing the Government’s programme of social welfare protection, support and reform during achallenging year.Ba mhaith liomsa mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le foireann na Roinne a chabhraíonn le muintir na tíre gach aon lá.Éamon Ó Cuív T.D Minister for Social Protection<strong>Statistical</strong> <strong>Information</strong> on Social Welfare Services 2009