Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
480. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the additional €400 one off payment for recipients of the fuel allowance that will be paid in 2022 will be made available to those who will be granted the allowance in January 2023 under the new threshold limits given the cost-of-energy-crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49489/22]
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, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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. Only one allowance is paid per household.
As part of the Government's cost of living measures in Budget 2023, I announced that, in November 2022, a further lump sum payment of €400 will be paid to Fuel Allowance recipients, to alleviate the burden of rising energy prices and inflation.
This further lump sum payment will only be available to households that have an entitlement to the Fuel Allowance payment on the week that the lumpsum payment is paid.
The enhanced electricity credit of €600 is another important Government measure announced in the Budget. This will also benefit households to whom access to Fuel Allowance is extended from January. The first €200 will be applied to electricity bills before Christmas.
My Department’s immediate priority is to issue 8 separate cost of living lump sum payments worth €1.2 Billion between now and Christmas and the Deputy will appreciate that each of these payments involves significant IT development work and resources.
The new means test thresholds for Fuel Allowance will take effect from January 2023. Further details in relation to the application process will be advertised once the operational and IT requirements for the new measure have been finalised.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
