Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2022
382. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the number of persons in receipt of the fuel allowance at the end of 2021 and the figure as of November 2022, in tabular form; the average waiting time for applications to be processed; the number of applications that have been refused; the number that are still pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56347/22]
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 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.
As part of the overall social welfare Budget 2023 package of €2.2 Billion, I am pleased to have secured a major expansion of the fuel allowance scheme, which will benefit an estimated 81,000 additional households from January 2023.
To assess entitlement to fuel allowance, which is a means tested payment, a Deciding Officer must have sufficient information to assess whether all necessary eligibility conditions for the payment are met. In certain cases, additional information may be awaited to allow the Deciding Officer to complete their assessment.
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 processing timelines, refusals and pending applications is not available. I am advised that higher than normal volumes of applications are being received and my officials are working through these applications currently. Where an application for fuel allowance is refused, it is open to the person to re-apply if there is a change in their circumstances. At the end of December 2021 and at the end of October 2022, there were approximately 375,000 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
