Alan Dillon
Question:620. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making amendments to the fuel allowance threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37553/22]
View answerTuesday, 12 July 2022
Questions (620)
Written answers
Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. It is a targeted payment to people dependent on specified long-term social welfare payments. The purpose of this payment is to assist those households most in need with their energy costs.
In Budget 2022, the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the Fuel Allowance scheme by €20 to €120, which enables more people to qualify for this support.
The allowable means limit ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Any decision to further increase the allowable means for the Fuel Allowance payment would have budgetary consequences and can only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.