The fuel allowance is a payment of €24.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €686 each year) from October to April, to over 352,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €261.35 million in 2020. 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.
The Fuel Allowance season for customers in receipt of the State pension begins on Friday 2nd October.
Due to fortnightly payments, State pension customers who were paid last Friday 25th September covering payments due for the 25th September and 2nd of October, received their Fuel Allowance payment. In the case of customers who have opted to receive payment via lump sum these customers received €343 and weekly paid customers received €24.50.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.