Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
542. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are options available to a person (details supplied) to be able to claim fuel allowance here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from October to April, to 375,000 low-income households, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. 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.
A person in receipt of a Social Security Payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement (of which there is an Irish equivalent payment) is eligible to apply for the fuel allowance payment on the same basis as Irish State pension recipients. As with all other recipients of the fuel allowance, the person must satisfy a means test as well as all other qualifying conditions. If a person is in receipt of a foreign pension other than a qualifying foreign pension as outlined above, then they will not be entitled to the fuel allowance payment.
With regards to the UK Winter Fuel Payment, receiving this payment does not debar a person from receiving the Irish Fuel Allowance. The amount of UK Winter Fuel payment received is included when assessing a person’s means for fuel allowance purposes and once the applicant satisfies all qualifying conditions the Irish Fuel Allowance can be paid.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
