Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2576. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered the introduction of a cold weather payment scheme similar to that of the UK in which if the temperature is forecast at zero or below for seven days an additional payment is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35233/18]
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 368,000 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 Winter Fuel system is not as valuable or as comprehensive as our system. I understand that the UK has a Winter Fuel Payment, which amounts to between £100 and £300 pounds each winter (about €112 to €366). 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.
During the exceptionally cold weather last winter, people in receipt of the Fuel Allowance received an extra payment of €22.50, regardless of the temperature in their local area.
I believe that this was the fairest and best way of ensuring that those in most need received an extra supplement for their heating costs and therefore I have no plans to introduce a cold weather payment scheme similar to the one in the UK at this time.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
