Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
20. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new applicants aged 66 years and over who have been approved for the fuel allowance under the revised means thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/26]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is a contribution towards heating costs; it is not intended to meet these costs in full. The payment is made for 28 weeks over the winter season - from late September to early April - at the weekly rate of €38 or, if preferred, by way of two instalments - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
In Budget 2023, a more generous means test was introduced for those aged over 70, with a higher means threshold of €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. In Budget 2025, this was extended to those over 66. From 1st January 2026, the means thresholds for over those aged over 66 increased to €534 per week for a single person over 66 and €1,068 per week for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
As part of Budget 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance increased by €5 from €33 to €38.
Fuel Allowance is a demand led scheme. The number of new Fuel Allowance applicants who have been approved under the revised means thresholds is not readily available. At the end of December 2025, there were a total of 420,646 households in receipt of Fuel Allowance of which 230,373 where the recipient is aged over 66 years.
It should be noted that the number of qualified households continuously fluctuates, as recipients join and exit the scheme as their circumstances change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
