Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
345. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to all pensioners, to all in receipt of the working family payment and/or a medical card; the estimated full-year cost of abolishing the waiting period of a year for those on jobseeker’s allowance, and of increasing the rate by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28863/24]
View answer346. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the household benefits package to all pensioners and to all in receipt of the working family payment and/or a medical card; and of increasing the rate to €60; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28864/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
My Department does not hold data on persons in receipt of a medical card and is therefore unable to provide a costing for the extension of Fuel Allowance or Household Benefits to this cohort.
The detail requested by the Deputy in relation to the remining cohorts is not readily available. My Department is in the process of collating the data in question and will revert with a reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
