Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2023
385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if home-dialysis patients can be included in the fuel allowance scheme given that they carry out their life sustaining and saving treatments in their own homes at a significant saving to the State and due to their condition require adequate heat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2712/23]
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 €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per 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 relevant qualifying criteria including a means test and the household composition criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
Fuel Allowance can only be awarded if an applicant satisfies the qualifying conditions and cannot be awarded solely due to a person’s medical circumstances.
The Fuel Allowance payment is not the only support the Department provides to help people with their heating bills. The Household Benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is freely available to those aged 70 or over irrespective of if they are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment. The gas and electricity element are paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
The Department of Social Protection also 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.
In addition, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special heating supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have special heating needs (e.g. in the case of ill health, infirmity or a medical condition).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
