Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1056. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 108 and 149 of 14 July 2022, the reason the figures on refused, discontinued and-or disallowed applications for fuel allowance are not complied and available (details supplied); if she plans to supply the information requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance scheme is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs, it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made to some 370,000 households over the winter season at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
The Fuel Allowance is paid, in conjunction with primary social welfare schemes, across a number of IT systems with differing functionality for recording processing activity, and consequently precise information on refused, discontinued and disallowed applications is not available. As the Department upgrades these systems, it is expected that this data will become available in the future.
The most common reasons for disallowance, or loss of entitlement, include termination of the primary qualifying scheme payment; where the means of a customer or household exceeds the permissible threshold; an applicant resides with a non-qualified person (for example, someone in employment); or an applicant resides with another person who is already in receipt of Fuel Allowance.
Where an application is disallowed, or an entitlement is lost, it is open to the person to re-apply if there is a change in their circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
