Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
356. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of introducing a second band, paid at half the current rate of fuel allowance for those on fixed incomes where their weekly means threshold is between €120 and €200; the number that would be eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38390/22]
View answerFuel 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.
Considering the fact that the Fuel Allowance is a household-based payment and that qualification is not just based on the means test but on a number of other complex qualifying criteria such as household composition, it is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measures outlined by the Deputy.
In addition, my Department does not maintain records of households that are on fixed incomes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
