Vol. 557 No. 4
486 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to substantially increase the excess of ?51 per week allowed to pensioners in regard to qualifying for free fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22264/02]
People who qualify for means tested pensions or allowances such as old age non-contributory pension, unemployment assistance or one-parent family payment automatically qualify for fuel allowance. The majority of people who receive fuel allowances qualify because they satisfy the relevant means test for their primary weekly payment. In the case of contributory pensions such as old age contributory, retirement and invalidity pensions, which are not means tested, a person may have a combined household income of up to €50.79 per week or savings or investments of up to €41,901.35 over and above their pension and still qualify for fuel allowance. Any changes in these limits would have to be considered in the context of the budget and in light of priorities generally.
