Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
601. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the possibility of introducing a cold weather payment which would be paid automatically in cases in which temperatures drop below zero after a certain number of days as is in place in United Kingdom will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11654/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 27 weeks (a total of €607.50 each year) from October to April, to over 338,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The UK has a Winter Fuel Payment, which amounts to between £100 and £300 pounds each winter. In addition to this amount, Cold Weather Payments may be awarded to provide help to people in meeting their additional heating costs during periods of extreme cold. Payment is made automatically when the average temperature at the weather station linked to an eligible customer’s postcode has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. This payment, when it is made, amounts to £25 for a seven day period of extreme cold.
The introduction of a similar scheme in Ireland would result in very significant administrative and technical overheads and could also result in unfair situations where customers in one county receive the payment while customers in neighbouring counties do not.
Given the severity of the weather in recent days, I announced that all people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive an extra payment of €22.50 in respect of last week, regardless of the temperature in their area over the previous seven consecutive days.
I believe that this was the fairest and best way of ensuring that those in most need received the extra payment and therefore I have no plans to introduce a cold weather payment scheme similar to the one in the UK at this time. If similar exceptionally severe weather occurs in the future I will of course again look at the best way of ensuring customers of my Department can feel safe and warm in their homes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
