Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
146. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department can outline if any consideration has been made with respect to commencing the fuel allowance scheme earlier than anticipated to help deal with the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34719/22]
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.
The Government is acutely aware of recent price increases and their impact on households who are dependent on social welfare.
For this reason, this Government did not await a further budget cycle to address these challenges but acted early. Overall, the tax and spending measures we have introduced to ease the burden and provide support to those most in need have amounted to €2.4 billion.
For recipients of Fuel Allowance, measures introduced by my Department included an increase of €5 in the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance - which was paid with effect from the week of the Budget - and subsequent lump sum payments of €125 and €100 in March and May 2022 respectively. Together, these measures mean that recipients of Fuel Allowance in 2021/22 received an increase of 55% compared to 2020/21. Adding in the energy credit of €200 paid to all households means that the value of energy-related payments to fuel allowance recipients increased by over 82% year-on-year, considerably in excess of the increase in energy prices.
Although energy costs abate during the summer months, I understand that households in receipt of fuel allowance will be concerned as to what provision might be made as we move towards the fuel season later this year. The very significant measures already taken are proof that this Government will act in a timely and decisive manner. We will, however, have to take account, as always, 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.
