Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
244. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community employment scheme participant (details supplied) is entitled to the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44802/26]
View answerFuel 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 over the winter season - usually from end September to early April - at the weekly rate of €38 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments of €532 - one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.
To qualify for a Fuel Allowance, a person aged under 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and either live alone or with other qualified people. Participants on Employment Support Schemes (e.g. a Community Employment Scheme) can qualify for Fuel Allowance while participating on the scheme. However, to qualify, the scheme participant must have been in receipt of a long-term qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance prior to commencing the Community Employment Scheme.
The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit immediately prior to commencing the Community Employment Scheme. Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. Therefore, the person concerned does not have an entitlement to Fuel Allowance. Further details on the qualifying conditions for Fuel Allowance are available at www.gov.ie/fa.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
