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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2025

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Questions (172)

John Paul O'Shea

Question:

172. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons over 66 who have qualified for the fuel allowance since the expanded means test for over 66s was introduced, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39924/25]

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Written answers

As announced in Budget 2025, from the 1st January 2025, the Fuel Allowance qualifying conditions for those aged over 70 were extended to those aged over 66 and the means threshold increased to €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple.

In December 2024, there were 221,459 recipients aged 66 and over in receipt of Fuel Allowance. Under the new criteria, the number recipients of Fuel Allowance rose to 223,650 aged 66 and over in January 2025. The number of recipients of Fuel Allowance peaked to 225,464 aged 66 and over in March 2025.

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