Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
796. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people currently in receipt of a heating supplement payment; if he can provide a breakdown of this payment, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30927/26]
View answerThe Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Under the scheme, my department may award a supplement to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. This can include a Heating Supplement where a person has need for additional heating due to ill health or infirmity. Heating supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the year.
Heating Supplements are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme. All the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into account in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
There are currently 680 people in receipt of Heating Supplement with a breakdown by county provided at Table 1 below.
More generally, my department also provides discretionary Additional Needs Payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting heating bills. In 2026, to the end of March, over 800 Additional Needs Payments totalling almost €400,000 were made to assist with household bills and heating costs.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to a Heating Supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: Heating supplement recipients by county
|
County |
Heating Supplement Recipients |
|
Carlow |
4 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
18 |
|
Cork |
38 |
|
Donegal |
37 |
|
Dublin |
74 |
|
Galway |
18 |
|
Kerry |
14 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
|
Laois |
25 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick |
196 |
|
Longford |
16 |
|
Louth |
7 |
|
Meath |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
21 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
88 |
|
Waterford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
44 |
|
Wexford |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
14 |
|
Total |
680 |
