Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
374. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will propose a policy change to allow for carers to be eligible for the fuel allowance without another person in the house having to be on a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53557/25]
View answerThe criteria for Fuel Allowance are in place to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person aged under 66 must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including the household composition criteria. This ensures that the Fuel Allowance payment goes to those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty.
As part of Budget 2025 it was announced that from January 2025, Carers Allowance would be considered a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance purposes.
A change in the qualifying criteria such as allowing the payment of Fuel Allowance irrespective of a household’s composition, would have to be considered in the context of budgetary negotiations. Disregarding a household member who is not reliant on long term social protection payments would change the targeted nature of the scheme. Carers who are in receipt of the Carers Allowance payment and who live alone can access the Fuel Allowance payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
