Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
129. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the possibility of ceasing her Department's current policy of removing persons from the fuel allowance qualification if their income increases marginally especially given the current energy cost crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34962/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, which is supporting over 370,000 households in 2022, at an estimated cost of €366 million. 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.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria, including the means test.
Fuel allowance is not payable if an applicant does not satisfy all relevant qualifying criteria. To continue paying Fuel Allowance when a person no longer satisfies the qualifying criteria would change the targeted nature of the payment.
In Budget 2022, and with immediate effect from Budget week, the Government increased the weekly means threshold for the Fuel Allowance scheme by €20. The brought the threshold to €120 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory enabling more people to qualify for this support.
Any proposal to change the Fuel Allowance scheme in the manner outlined by the Deputy can only be considered in the context of the overall policy and budgetary situation.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost, which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
