Paul McAuliffe
Question:479. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of successful applicants for fuel allowance in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24551/23]
View answerTuesday, 23 May 2023
Questions (479)
Written answers
The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made over the winter season at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two instalments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
The Department generally collates data on an annual basis. At the start of the 2022/23 Fuel Allowance season in September, there were 369,000 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance. By the end of April 2023, the number of households supported increased further to 404,000.
It should be noted that the number of recipients of Fuel Allowance continuously fluctuates as people join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.