Alan Kelly
Ceist:104. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of making the entitlement to fuel allowance automatic for persons aged over 80 years. [51342/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 November 2023
Ceisteanna (104)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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.
It is not possible for my Department to provide an estimate of the cost of the measure outlined by the Deputy. The additional cost to the scheme will depend on a number of factors including if it was intended to award Fuel Allowance to all persons aged over 80 years, irrespective of whether Fuel Allowance is already in payment in a household or that the person aged over 80 years is resident in a dwelling such as a nursing home where their heating needs are provided for.
Any estimate will also need to take account of the significant expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme announced in Budget 2023 and in particular those measures extending the Fuel Allowance to the over 70s.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.