Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
528. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of households with an older person aged 70 plus in receipt of the household benefits package in 2021; the number of households with an older person aged 70 plus not in receipt of the household benefits package in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18116/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. Only one Household Benefits package is payable per household.
At the end of 2021, the Household Benefits package was paid to some 480,000 recipients, of which some 330,000 were aged 70 or over. These households could include other persons over 70 years of age. It is also possible that there may be persons residing in a household who are over 70 years of age where the recipient of the Household Benefits package is under age 70.
My Department does not maintain a record of the number of households nationally, with a person aged over 70, who are not in receipt of the Household Benefits package.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
