Thomas Gould
Question:60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to an emergency increase in the fuel allowance or to the extension of same. [5344/22]
View answerThursday, 3 February 2022
Questions (60)
Written answers
The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable households from the impact of energy costs through a combination of supports, energy efficiency awareness initiatives and investment in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
In light of ESRI research and the commitment to ensure that the carbon tax is progressive, the Government has committed to very significant increases in a targeted package of s ocial protection supports in Budget 2022. The total cost of these interventions is projected at €146m in 2022. These supports were selected to counteract the impact of the increased carbon tax on low income households. The specific measures are:
i. An increase to the Qualified Child Payment of €2 per week for children under 12 and €3 per week for children aged 12 and over.
ii. An increase in the Living Alone Allowance of €3 per week.
iii. An increase in the income threshold of the Working Family Payment of €10 per week.
iv. An increase to the Fuel Allowance of €5 per week.
In Budget 202 2 I also announced further easing of the qualifying criteria for Fuel Allowance with the allowable means increased by €20 to €120 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate. The eligibility for Jobseeker’s and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients was enhanced by reducing the qualifying period from 15 to 12 months with effect from September 2022.
My Department also provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These payments are not ring-fenced or budget limited as they would be if they were drawn from an earmarked fund, but rather are demand led.
The provision of any additional supports above those announced on Budget Day would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
The recently announced Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment is a key measure being developed by the Government to help mitigate the effects of the recent rise in electricity prices. The scheme, under the auspices of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and supervised by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities will be paid in addition to the gas and electricity element of the HHB package to qualifying households. Approximately 2.1m households will benefit by €100 each from the new scheme. Primary and secondary legislation will be required and it is expected that payments will begin in Quarter 1 2022.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.