Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
592. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to a charity's (details supplied) 2018 pre-budget submission and its proposal to increase the fuel allowance payment by €6.50 per week; the total cost of implementing such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31140/17]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 26 weeks from October to April, to low income households, at an estimated cost of €229 million in 2017. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays the household benefits package at an estimated cost of €232 million in 2017. €177 million of this cost relates to the electricity or gas allowance element of the household benefits package. In addition, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs.
The estimated cost of increasing the fuel allowance by €6.50 a week to €29.00 per week is €66 million in 2018. It should be noted that this cost is subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2018. The best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. My Department works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on these issues and in moving forward the actions agreed in the Energy Affordability Strategy. In that regard, the Better Energy Homes scheme provides support towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades.
Any decision to increase the fuel allowance payment would have to be considered in the overall budgetary and policy context. In this regard, my Department is hosting its annual pre-Budget Forum in Dublin Castle on 21 July, where I will listen to the views of representatives from some 45 NGOs, advocacy and representative organisations, including the organisation referenced by the Deputy.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
