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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Questions (235, 236)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

235. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for the fuel allowance for the current season; the number of applications accepted and rejected this season by household type in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8963/22]

View answer

Claire Kerrane

Question:

236. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons that fuel allowance applications were rejected, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8964/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs.  The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full.  The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33.00; or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments; and is paid over the winter season.  Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.  Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

In Budget 2022, I announced a number of reforms to the Fuel Allowance scheme including an increase in the weekly rate by €5 to €33, and a €20 increase in the weekly income means threshold from €100 to €120, with both measures implemented with effect from Budget day in October 2021. I also announced a reduction in the qualifying period for Jobseeker’s and Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients from 15 to 12 months to take effect from September 2022.  Through these additional measures, it is estimated that approximately 400,000 households will benefit from the Fuel Allowance in 2022.

Based on the available data, over 70,000 new Fuel Allowance applications were received during 2021, with some 50,000 of these being awarded.  Since the start of the current Fuel Allowance season in September 2021 to date (mid February), approximately 34,000 new Fuel Allowance applications were received, of which almost 25,000 were awarded.   

The most common reasons for non-qualification include the means of the household or the customer are in excess of permissible thresholds, the customer lives with a non-qualified person (for example, someone in employment), or that someone else in the household is already getting payment. Where an application is disallowed, it is open to the person to re-apply if there is a change in their circumstances.   

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, discretionary payments can be made to help people with the cost of heating their homes.  A Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people with exceptional heating costs due to ill health or infirmity who cannot meet those costs. My Department also provides discretionary Exceptional Needs Payments to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills.

The Government is acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices. To help mitigate the effects of these rising costs, the Government has recently announced additional expenditure measures of €505 m.  As part of these measures, I announced an additional lump sum payment of €125 to households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment. It is expected that the additional lump sum will be paid in March at an estimated cost of €49 m.

I note that the Deputy has agreed with my officials that information in relation to household type need not be included in this response.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 235.
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