Ireland spent more than €11k per person on social protection in 2021

'There was a decrease in the unemployment function (-€1.2bn on 2020) largely due to a reduction in PUP as public health restrictions were relaxed and people returned to work.' File picture: Denis Scannell

Ireland spent €11,348 on social protection for every person in the country in 2021, new statistics have revealed, as spending on sickness/healthcare benefits represented about 40% of the €59.1bn spend.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said Covid-fuelled social protection spending was again a feature in 2021 but, compared to 2020, it was not temporary schemes such as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, which saw the biggest increases to the welfare bill.