I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 640 together.
Fuel Allowance is a household payment and the circumstances and income of any other member of the household will be taken into account when deciding a Fuel Allowance application. Accordingly, it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate for the proposed measure. The estimate is based on a weekly Fuel Allowance payment of €33 and the fuel season payment period remaining the same. Taking this into consideration, the estimated cost of the measures proposed by the Deputy is as follows:
Payment Period
|
Number of Fuel Payment Weeks
|
Estimated cost of Measure
|
30 September- 31 December 2022
|
13
|
€10.4m
|
12 October- 31 December 2022
|
12
|
€9.6m
|
21 January 2023-31 December 2023
|
25
|
€20m
|
2022/23 Fuel Season
|
28
|
€22.4m
|
30 September- Full Year
|
28
|
€22.4m
|
12 October- Full Year
|
28
|
€22.4m
|
21 January 2023- Full Year
|
28
|
€22.4m
|
The provision of any additional supports such as extending the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment would have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.