Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
579. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the Department's estimated proportion of an average household electricity and natural gas bill currently covered by the €1.15 per day allowance, using the most recent available national data sources; and if he will outline the methodology used to derive this estimate. [33019/26]
View answer580. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated proportion of an average household electricity and natural gas bill covered by the allowance at the time of its introduction in 2013, and the equivalent estimated proportion in 2026; and if he will outline the basis for these estimates [33020/26]
View answer581. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether his Department has utilised or considered data from the Central Statistics Office, Commission for Regulation of Utilities, or Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in assessing the adequacy of the electricity and gas allowance; and if so, to provide details. [33021/26]
View answer582. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the electricity and natural gas allowance has been subject to a Value for Money or policy evaluation review since 2013, in line with the Public Spending Code; and if so, to provide the date and outcome of any such review. [33023/26]
View answer583. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy rationale for maintaining a flat-rate cash allowance introduced in 2013 without periodic recalibration, and whether alternative models, including indexed or usage-based supports, have been formally assessed. [33024/26]
View answer586. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any specific proposals have been developed to revise the structure of the electricity and gas allowance, including seasonal weighting or indexation to energy prices; and if so, to outline the status of such proposals. [33027/26]
View answer587. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a formal review of the electricity and natural gas allowance will be completed in advance of Budget 2027, and if he will provide a defined timeline and scope for that review. [33028/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 586 and 587 together.
The Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €317 million this year on the Household Benefits Package.
My department does not hold data requested by the Deputy and therefore cannot provide an estimate of the proportion of an average household electricity and natural gas bill currently covered by the €1.15 per day allowance. .
Since 2013 the weekly rate of payment of Fuel Allowance has increased from €20 to €38, a 90% increase, with the budget for the scheme also increasing significantly during the same period from €228.44 million in 2013 to an estimated expenditure in 2026 of €557.4 million. Also since 2013 weekly core Social Welfare payments such as the Contributory State Pension has increased by 30% from €230.30 to €299.30.
Any decision to enhance the Household Benefits Package, is likely to have cost implications and could only be considered while taking account of the overall budgetary context and the availability of financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the position.
