Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
74. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the household benefits package given the rising costs of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5386/22]
View answerOne of the main factors driving the increased cost of living is rising energy costs. The Government is committed to supporting households to control and meet energy costs through a combination of monetary supports as well as investment to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock.
The Household Benefits package (HHB) is just one of a range of supports my Department provides to assist people with their fuel costs. Any decision to enhance the HHB package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
The Fuel Allowance payment is a means tested payment and the criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the payment to those households who need it most. It is for this reason that the Government in recent Budgets has directed resources to this scheme rather than the HHB package.
As part of the overall welfare budget package of €600m in increases I secured for 2022, I was pleased to be able to increase the Fuel Allowance payment by €5 per week and the weekly income threshold for it by €20 effective from Budget night.
Other payments such as increases for qualified children, the living alone allowance and the working family payment are also shown to be effective in supporting those households who will be most challenged by increases in energy costs. Again I was pleased to be able to bring forward increases in these payments, valued at €98m in a full year, as part of Budget 2022.
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 unprecedented 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.
In addition to the regular weekly and monthly payments, the Department can also support people through the use of discretionary payments including through the Exceptional Needs Payment and through a special heating supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
