Expenditure on social security rises 6.8% over nine-month period in 2011

The total expenditure on social security benefits for the first nine months this year amounted to €561.2 million, €35.9 million more than the corresponding period in 2011. This was the result of an increase of €27.5 million in expenditure on contributory benefits. Furthermore, expenditure on non-contributory benefits went up by €8.4 million.

The increase in expenditure for contributory benefits was mainly due to a €20.7 million increase in pensions in respect of retirement. There were also increases recorded for contributory bonus ( €5.5 million) and pensions in respect of widowhood ( €2.3 million). On the other hand, pensions in respect of Invalidity decreased by €1.5 million.

Expenditure for non-contributory benefits rose by €8.4 million compared to 2011. There was an increase in each type of non-contributory benefit, with children's allowance ( €3.8 million) and social assistance ( €2.7 million) registering the major additions.

Expenditure on social security benefits amounted to €170.7 million in the third quarter, an increase of 6.6 per cent (or €10.5 million) over the corresponding quarter last year. Contributory benefits increased by €8.3 million, mostly because of an €8.1 million rise in expenditure on two-thirds pension. Expenditure on non-contributory benefits also rose by €2.2 million, largely attributed to a €1.0 million rise in Social Assistance.