The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs.
The qualifying criteria for the Fuel Allowance scheme are outlined in detailed guidelines that are available to all staff in my Department. These detailed guidelines are reviewed and updated in line with any announced changes to the scheme. Prior to any changes to the Fuel Allowance qualifying criteria, a circular is also issued to all Department staff outlining the changes and highlighting their implementation date.
I note the Deputy is referring to changes to the Fuel Allowance scheme that are only due to come into effect in September 2022; a Deciding Officer cannot award a Fuel Allowance claim prior to new qualifying criteria coming into force.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the staff of my Department are aware of the changes to the Fuel Allowance qualifying criteria prior to the start of the 2022/23 fuel season. However, if the Deputy is aware of any claims incorrectly disallowed following the introduction of the new measures, I would ask that he urges those affected to contact my Department so that the matter can be investigated.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
