CSO Reports €69.9 Billion Social Protection Expenditure in Ireland for 2024 (cso.ie)

• Social protection spending in Ireland rose to €69.9 billion in 2024, a 5.9% year-on-year increase.
• Sickness/Healthcare and Old Age benefits make up 71.6% of total social protection expenditure.
• Ireland's means-tested benefits proportion (25%) is second highest in the EU, well above the 11% average.

"The CSO's Social Protection Expenditure in Ireland 2024 release shows total spending of €69.9 billion in 2024, a 5.9% increase from 2023. Sickness/Healthcare and Old Age accounted for 71.6% (€48.4 billion). Disability spending rose 8.9% to €3.6 billion. Ireland has the second highest proportion of means-tested benefits in Europe at 25%, compared to the EU average of 11%. The Public Health scheme was the largest at €26.8 billion. The report provides preliminary estimates and international comparisons."