Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
461. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is in receipt of a private occupational pension with no entitlement to a State pension can apply for the winter fuel allowance if they meet the means criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €366 million in 2022. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
In Budget 2023, I was pleased to announce the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme. As part of this, from January 2023, a new means test will be introduced for over 70s. Under the new means test, a single person over 70 will be able to have income of €500 per week and a couple will be able to have income of €1,000 per week and still qualify for Fuel Allowance
Those aged 70 or over will also no longer be required to be in receipt of a qualify Social Welfare payment to be able to access the Fuel Allowance payment. All other relevant qualifying conditions for the Fuel Allowance payment will have to be satisfied.
For those under age 70, to receive the fuel allowance payment, an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment, satisfy a means test and the household composition test. This ensures that the fuel allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and those who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
