Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
462. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered what it would cost to extend the fuel allowance to persons who have been six months on an assistance payment, and to those in receipt of the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25958/23]
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 €412 million in 2023. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
Because of the household and seasonal nature of the fuel allowance payment, it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of the cost to extend the fuel allowance to persons who have been six months on an assistance payment, and to those in receipt of the working family payment.
Taking the above into consideration, the estimated cost of extending the fuel allowance payment to all those in receipt of the Working Family Payment (WFP) is €23.2 million. This estimate is based on a weekly fuel allowance rate of €33 and a payment period of 28 weeks.
With regards to the estimated cost to extend the Fuel Allowance to persons who have been six months in receipt of assistance type payments, this measure is expected to cost in the region of €19.7 million. This estimate is based on an additional 21,366 jobseeker allowance and basic supplementary allowance claims qualifying for fuel allowance at a rate of €33 and a payment period of 28 weeks.
The Fuel Allowance is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to poverty, including energy poverty. It is for this reason that my Department allocates additional payments, supports and resources such as Fuel Allowance to this cohort of claimants.
A person in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance and Basic Supplementary Allowance for over 12 months can access the Fuel Allowance payment, subject to satisfying the relevant qualifying criteria.
The Working Family Payment gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. It is not considered a long-term Social Protection payment and recipients are in full time employment and are more likely to have additional resources.
While Working Family Payment is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, people may receive Fuel Allowance while on Working Family Payment if they are in receipt of One Parent Family Payment.
In response to an amendment tabled at Committee Stage of the the Social Welfare Bill 2023, I have asked my Department officials to prepare a report on the potential extension of eligibility for the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment. The work is ongoing and when finished, I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
