Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
342. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing the electricity or gas allowance of €35 per month by either €5, €10 or €15; the number of persons who are currently in receipt of each allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38371/22]
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. 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.
At the end of May this year, some 483,444 households were in receipt of the electricity/gas element of the HHB package. 431,588 were in receipt of the electricity element and 51,856 were in receipt of the gas element.
If the increases outlined in the question were introduced in 2023, the estimated average number of recipients would be 495,000 and the additional yearly cost of the measures would be as follows: -
|
Proposed Monthly Rate Increase |
New Monthly Rate |
Number of Recipients |
Additional Yearly Cost |
|
€5 |
€40 |
495,000 |
€29.7m |
|
€10 |
€45 |
495,000 |
€59.4m |
|
€15 |
€50 |
495,000 |
€89.1m |
Any decision to enhance or increase the electricity and gas aspect of the package would have to be considered in a budgetary context
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an urgent need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
