Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
184. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend the winter fuel allowance to people with physical disabilities to a year round free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32780/25]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks, a total of €924 each year, available from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €400 million in 2025. The duration of the scheme is designed to coincide with the coldest periods of the year, and it is for this reason the scheme runs from September to April annually. The coldest period of the year is when households would have the greatest need for support with their fuel costs.While the supports provided by my Department such as Fuel Allowance may be sufficient for many people with disabilities, I understand however that there will always be exceptional cases and it is for this reason that my Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. My Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available year-round through our Community Welfare Officers.The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
