The outlay on social security benefits increased by €9.4 million in the first nine months of this year when compared to the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office.
The NSO said this was mostly due to higher outlay on retirement pensions.
Total social security benefits amounted to €648 million during the first three quarters of the year, resulting in a 1.5 per cent increase over the same period last year.
The was due to a €15.6 million rise in the contributory benefits outlay, mainly due to a €14 million rise in retirement pensions. On the other hand, the non-contributory benefits expenditure decreased by €6.1 million, mainly due to a €9.3 million decline in children’s allowance, the result of an extra payment being effected during the first three quarters last year.