Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
147. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people are in receipt of the household benefits package in 2023; how many of these people also receive the fuel allowance; the estimated cost to increase the household benefits package by €4 per month; by €8 per month; and by €12 per month. [34436/23]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises an electricity or gas allowance of €35 per month and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €285 million this year on HHB for over 511,000 customers.
As at the end of April 2023, an estimated 242,500 customers were in receipt of both HHB and the Fuel Allowance.
If the increases to the electricity/gas element outlined by the Deputy were introduced in 2023, the estimated additional yearly cost for those estimated to be in receipt of HHB based on current qualifying criteria (511,000) would be as follows:
|
Proposed Monthly Rate Increase |
New Monthly Rate |
Number of Recipients |
Additional Yearly Cost |
|
€4 |
€39 |
511,000 |
€24.53M |
|
€8 |
€43 |
511,000 |
€49.06M |
|
€12 |
€47 |
511,000 |
€73.58M |
Any decision to change the qualifying criteria for the HHB package payment or to increase the electricity/gas element of the package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budgetary negotiations.
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.
