Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
113. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if the household benefit package can be made available to all persons once they reach State pension age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/24]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €285 million this year on the Household Benefits Package for over 523,000 customers.
People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
While consideration is always given to suggested improvements to the Departments schemes, any decision to enhance the Household Benefits Package by making it available to all persons once they reach State pension age of 66 years would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
I trust that this clarifies these matters for the Deputy.
