Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
693. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if protocols have been put in place by her Department to ensure that procedures are in place within her Department to deal with future adverse weather conditions in view of the difficulties posed to fuel allowance recipients in recent bad weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31645/18]
View answerThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week from October to April, to over 364,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. 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.
Recent changes to the scheme which helped increase its effectiveness include in Budget 18 extending the duration of the scheme to 27 weeks and from the start of the 2017/18 fuel season the introduction of an option to receive the fuel allowance payment in two lump sums, thereby allowing people to buy fuel in bulk and potentially avail of special offers or discounts.
My Department is very aware of the hardship that all people, including fuel allowance recipients, face during adverse weather conditions. Members of my Department attend the National Emergency Centre during adverse weather conditions to ensure a coordinated and quick response to help our customers.
During the severe weather in March this year my Department automatically paid all people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance an extra payment of €22.50 at that time. This was the equivalent of an additional week’s payment of the Allowance and this was to ensure our customers were safe and warm.
My Department also plays an important role in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather conditions. Officials engage with staff in the relevant local authorities and Community Welfare Service contact details are provided to those seeking support.
Exceptional Needs and Urgent Needs Payments are provided on a year-round basis by the Community Welfare Service to help customers to meet essential expenditure arising from a once-off exceptional or urgent need, and this may include exceptional heating costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
