Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
284. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to all people with disabilities at the current rate, at an increased rate by €20 per week, and extending the payment period to 52 weeks at the current and increased rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53971/26]
View answerThe Department does not hold data on all people with disabilities. However, if the Deputy is asking about increasing Fuel Allowance to all recipients of disability related qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance such as Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension, the details are outlined below.
The cost of expanding Fuel Allowance to all those in receipt of these disability related payments is as follows:
|
Weekly Rate of Fuel Allowance |
Number of Weeks Payable |
Estimated Additional Beneficiaries |
Estimated Additional Yearly Cost |
|
€38 |
52 |
136,000 |
€268.74m |
|
€58 |
52 |
136.000 |
€410.18m |
This costing is based on the number of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension recipients currently not in receipt of Fuel Allowance and is subject to change in light of emerging trends and other eligibility criteria, including household composition.
The provision of any additional supports such as increasing the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance would 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 matter for the Deputy.
