The government spent €9.6bn on housing, health and child benefits last year, the national statistics office said on Monday.

Most money – €3.5bn – went on helping over five million adults pay their health insurance. People on low incomes can claim up to around €60 a month in subsidies.
A further €3bn was spent on childcare subsidies, over €2bn on housing subsidies and almost €1bn on extra help for low income families with children.
In total, the extra benefits cost the government €500m more in 2009 than they did in 2008.