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Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Questions (328)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

328. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons on fuel allowance are in receipt of UK winter fuel payment, if this will be assessed when eligibility is being assessed or if questionnaires will issue to all persons in receipt of fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40399/13]

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Written answers

In 2013, my Department will spend an estimated €211 million on the fuel allowance scheme, providing some 410,000 customers with an additional weekly payment of €20 during the winter.

The United Kingdom winter fuel payment is an annual lump sum payment made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs. It ranges from £100-£300 sterling. Until recently, only a small number of people living in Ireland (just over 7,000 in 2012) were in receipt of the payment as eligibility had to be shown while living in the UK and before moving to Ireland. Following a recent judgment of the European Court of Justice, eligibility has been extended to people living outside the UK who have a “genuine and sufficient link” to the UK social security system. It is expected that more people living in Ireland may become eligible for the UK payment.

As the fuel allowance scheme in Ireland is a means tested payment, which is paid on the basis that an applicant is unable to provide for his or her own heating needs, the Department must take account of the UK payment when determining eligibility. Those already in receipt of fuel allowance will be reassessed as part of the normal review of payments. I have no plans at this time to issue questionnaires to all persons in receipt of fuel allowance.

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