Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 September 2018
222. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a homeless person on a community employment scheme is not eligible for the fuel allowance when they are housed and were not in receipt of fuel allowance previously; and her views on whether this effectively penalises a person that is on a community employment scheme and then secures a long-term home. [39139/18]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. One allowance is payable per household. Those participating on work schemes such as Community Employment (CE) are entitled to Fuel Allowance if they fulfil the conditions for receipt of same. CE participants who are not in receipt of the allowance can have their entitlement to Fuel Allowance reviewed if their circumstances change while they are participating on the scheme.
The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind and wishes to forward the details I will ensure that it is examined by the Department.
