Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1137. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those on the disability allowance and long-term illness schemes as qualifying payments for the household benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30525/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB for over 492,000 customers. 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 welfare type payments. These qualifying payments are in general long-term disability/illness type payments and includes schemes such as Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Blind Person's Pension and Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation, with Disablement Pension, for at least 12 months.
Therefore, Disability Allowance is already a qualifying payment for the HHB package, as are the other long-term disability/illness schemes outlined above.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
