The amount of social security benefits forked out between January and June rose by 6.3 per cent.

With benefits totalling €376.7 million, €22.4 million more than the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said this was mainly on account of a €19.1 million rise in contributory benefits and a €3.3 million increase in non-contributory benefits.

The rise in contributory benefits, it said, was primarily because of a €11.4 million increase in retirement pensions, which this year totalled €180.9 million after a rise in the number of beneficiaries.

Invalidity pensions fell by €1.2 million while that of widowhood rose by €2 million. With regards to non-contributory benefits, social assistance rose by €2.1 million.

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