Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Questions (539)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is differentiation between types of fuel allowance recipients, such as those receiving the fuel allowance payment as part of community employment or Tús schemes; if all recipients fall under the national fuel allowance; if she will provide information on recent changes as to the way fuel allowance recipients are categorised in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18313/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, which is supporting up to an estimated 400,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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.

A person who is in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment who moves to a community employment or TUS scheme may retain their Fuel allowance payment while participating on these schemes subject to continuing to satisfy all relevant qualifying conditions.

My Department does not differentiate between the cohort of people referred to by the Deputy and other claimants of the Fuel Allowance scheme. They are all considered recipients of the Fuel Allowance payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.