Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
369. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance, particularly in cases where an applicant is an adult in receipt of disability allowance but is assessed on a household means basis due to living with parents and the person is financially independent but cannot live alone due to the impact of a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33936/26]
View answer371. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline any plans to ensure that individuals in circumstances where the person is financially independent but cannot live alone due to the impact of a disability are not excluded from supports intended to address fuel poverty and vulnerability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33938/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 and 371 together.
The criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. This ensures that the fuel allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to fuel poverty including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own.
A change in the qualifying criteria such as disregarding the means and circumstances of household members who are not in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment, would have to be considered in the context of scheme policy and budgetary negotiations. Though disregarding a household member who is not reliant on a long term social protection payment would change the targeted nature of the scheme.
While the criteria for Fuel Allowance is designed to ensure that those who require the support the most receive it, there will always be exceptional cases. It is for this reason that my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine key ancillary benefits such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Living Alone Increase to support vulnerable groups. This is an ongoing activity as part of the Department's budget planning each year and I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that these benefits continue to target vulnerable groups. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
